Deputies in Jefferson County say a Fenton man turned a routine drive into a roadside nightmare on July 3, 2024, when he opened fire on a passing vehicle with a crossbow, a BB gun and a pistol before being arrested after a short pursuit. One person in the car was hit in the arm by a BB pellet, according to police. Authorities also say the suspect bit a deputy during the arrest. He was treated for minor injuries, then booked into the county jail on charges that include attempted murder and other felonies.
Deputies: Crossbow, BB gun and pistol used on moving car
As reported by KSDK, Jefferson County deputies identified the suspect as Michael Lee Daniel and say he first fired a crossbow at a passing car. Investigators told the station the vehicle was then struck by shots from a BB gun, and the suspect also fired a pistol at the car. The driver managed to get away and was treated for a BB wound to the arm, according to the sheriff's office statement cited by the outlet.
Brief pursuit, arrest and booking
Deputies say they located the suspect's vehicle soon after and stopped it after a short pursuit. He was taken into custody and processed at the county lockup. Records show he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro on multiple felony counts, including attempted murder.
Deputy bitten, weapons seized at scene
According to investigators, officers recovered a crossbow, a BB gun and a pistol at the scene. KSDK reports that a deputy suffered a bite during the struggle to handcuff the suspect. Deputies took the man to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries before returning him to custody and submitting attempted-murder and related charges.
Legal stakes under Missouri law
Under Missouri law, an attempt to commit a crime is typically classified one level lower than the underlying offense, per Missouri Revised Statutes section 7562.012, while murder is charged as a class A felony under Missouri Revised Statutes section 7565.020. In practice, attempted-murder and related armed-crime counts can still add up to decades in prison if prosecutors move forward and a jury convicts.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact its tip line. Further details and booking information are available on the sheriff's site at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Court records and local filings will show how prosecutors proceed in the coming days.
