Deadly struggle over gun leads to murder charge in Vernon County

MILO, Mo. — A Vernon County man is facing a second-degree murder charge after investigators say he tackled a man during a struggle over a gun, causing the weapon to fire and fatally shoot another person.

22-year-old Joshua Janiszewski is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful possession and armed criminal action in connection with the Sunday evening incident in Milo.

A probable cause statement says deputies were called to a shooting shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday.

Investigators say one man had fired a gun toward a neighboring home before another man confronted him and attempted to take the weapon away.

Witnesses told investigators the two men were struggling over the gun when Janiszewski ran toward them and tackled the armed man.

All three fell to the ground and the gun fired, hitting the man who had been trying to take it away.

He later died from the gunshot wound.

Investigators say the violence did not stop there.

Witnesses told deputies Janiszewski repeatedly attacked the other man after the shooting, allegedly choking him, kicking him in the head and threatening to kill him.

Court documents say Janiszewski later grabbed a broom with a broken metal handle and continued beating and stabbing at the man while he was on the ground.

Investigators say he did not stop until a responding deputy drew a taser and ordered him to back away.

Janiszewski later told investigators he had gone into what he described as “survival mode” and admitted continuing to fight until law enforcement arrived.

He said he could not remember portions of the incident and acknowledged drinking alcohol beforehand.

He was booked on a $500,000 bond.

Authorities have not identified either victim.