Two Dead, One Hurt After Argument Leads To Gunfire

"CARUTHERSVILLE, MO — One woman is recovering from injuries following a shooting which left two others dead.

"At 11:11 p.m. Monday, Caruthersville Police responded to a report of a shooting at 902 Collins Ave. Outside the home, officers found a 9-year-old juvenile, who informed them her grandmother and grandfather were dead.

"Inside the residence, officers located Paula Hudgings, 48, lying on the living room floor with a bullet wound, according to a news release from the Caruthersville Police Department. David Hudgings, 52, was lying lifeless on the living room floor with what officers said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"A female, who was at the residence at the time of the shooting, said the couple had gotten into an argument. When Mrs. Hudgings asked Hudgings to leave, the witness stated he pulled out a firearm and shot Mrs. Hudgings in the back as she was standing in the doorway.

"Hudgings then pointed the gun and shot Kortni Lewis, 18, who was also in the residence. According to the witness, she heard Lewis say she was shot.

"The witness told officers Hudgings then fired one round at her before he turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.

"At that time, the witness, along with the child and Lewis fled to a residence next door.

"Hudgings was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner. Mrs. Hudgings was taken to the Hayti Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

"Lewis was located lying on the concrete under a carport next door with a bullet wound to the arm. She was transported to the Hayti Hospital then transferred to a hospital in Cape Girardeau for treatment.

"No one else was injured in the incident, according to police and the child was turned over to a family member."