Henry County, Missouri

From the TheKansasCityChannel.com of May XX, 2007

Deputy: Neighbor Dispute Ends In Slaying

Deputies said a dispute between two neighbors led to bloodshed Thursday morning in rural Henry County.

Edwin D. Walrath, 36, was shot to death at a mobile home in the 1000 block of Northeast Highway C, officials said.

Investigators said they suspect Walrath's neighbor shot him twice, and then the neighbor called 911.

The first deputy to arrive at the scene tried to save Walrath's life.

"She began CPR until the ambulance arrived, which happened just a few minutes after," said Maj. Rob Hills with the Henry County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies said John E. Hicks, 55, was questioned and released. Officers said they searched his home for evidence.

KMBC's Bev Chapman reported that there was an ongoing feud between the neighbors, who shared a long lane just north of Truman Lake.

"We've had several calls in the past about property issues, property disputes going on. We've been there numerous times," Hills said.

There have been at least six police reports over the years, officials said.

"We feel self-defense is going to be an issue, a claim in the case in the facts," Hills said.

A coroner's inquest will be organized in the coming days, and then a prosecutor will decide whether to file charges.

Note: An earlier version of this story said investigators found drug paraphernalia at the home, which is incorrect. We regret the error.