Authorities in central Missouri searched Wednesday for a gunman that they believe is responsible for "multiple" killings after a man was slain and his wife wounded.
Callaway County Sheriff Dennis Crane said the gunman is suspected in the death of a Holts Summit man and other slayings, but he would not say how many or provide further details. A news conference was planned for 4 p.m. CDT.
Jeffrey Werdehausen, 46, was killed on Tuesday, and his wife, 41-year-old Gina Werdehausen, was hospitalized at University Hospital in Columbia.
The University of Missouri-Columbia said the hospital was on lockdown out of fear a violent person could seek access to the facility. Patients, staff and visitors were being screened as they entered and left the building. No other buildings on the campus have been locked down, the university said.
KRCG-TV reported that authorities said that the suspect may be armed with a high-powered rifle. They said the man apparently targeted his victims.
The Mid Missouri Major Case Squad and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were investigating. Holts Summit is about 33 miles southeast of Columbia.
