MINERAL POINT, MO – A deadly dispute in a quiet Missouri community has left a young woman jailed and facing a murder charge after police say she shot and killed her boyfriend inside their home, following what she described as a terrifying night of violence and desperate self-defense.
Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the residence Friday, where they found a 30-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound. Josie Reed, the woman at the scene, was quickly taken into custody. She told law enforcement officials that she shot the man in a desperate act of self-defense.
According to investigators, Reed recounted that her boyfriend grew enraged on the night of October 3, allegedly choking her into unconsciousness three separate times, pepper-spraying her, and firing a weapon in her direction. In her account, the attack escalated to the point where she managed to find his handgun and fired twice, thinking she had missed with the first shot, and then fired again as he reached for another firearm.
Detectives documented that Reed displayed marks on her body during the interview, claiming they were injuries from being strangled. However, authorities noted that these physical signs did not align with what would be expected from such an assault. No evidence of pepper spray was discovered in the home, and forensic testing reportedly failed to find gunshot residue on the deceased man’s hands, challenging Reed’s version of events.
During follow-up questioning, Reed presented another explanation, stating that she was involved as a witness in a separate firearms case, and her boyfriend was trying to prevent her from cooperating with the investigation. Investigators did not immediately provide details about the other case.
Prosecutors have formally charged Reed with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and domestic assault. She is being held on a $1 million cash bond at the Washington County Jail.
Court records show Reed’s next appearance is set for October 14. Statements from law enforcement indicate that the investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the full circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Officials have not released the name of the deceased man, pending notification of his family. Investigators continue to gather evidence, including forensic analysis from the scene and potential testimony from those familiar with the couple.
Neighbors in the area have expressed shock over the incident, describing the area as generally quiet. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with additional information about the events leading up to the shooting to contact authorities.
Court filings indicate that Reed’s legal team has not yet commented on the case or announced whether they plan to pursue a self-defense strategy during trial proceedings.