Gatewood Man Convicted On Assault, Weapons Charges

Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney, Matt Michel, announces that Bryan Grissom, 41, of Gatewood, was found guilty Jan. 24, of the offenses of assault in the first degree, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon-shooting at a motor vehicle, along with another count of armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon – exhibiting a firearm, and harassment in the first degree by a Ripley County jury.

Evidence presented at the trial was that on July 15, 2023, Ripley County Sheriff’s Deputy Earl Wheetley was dispatched to a residence off of Highway 142 West, near Lingo Road in reference to an individual suffering a gunshot wound.

When Deputy Wheetley arrived, he observed a motor vehicle, that had been operated by the victim, which had a bullet hole in the driver’s rear side door.

He further spoke with the passenger of the vehicle who informed him that Bryan Grissom had been sitting in the roadway at the intersection of Highway 142 and Highway P and when the victim pulled around him, Grissom yelled that he was “going to kill” the driver.

Grissom then lifted a black rifle and pointed it at him.

The driver of the vehicle attempted to leave, but Grissom fired a shot before the vehicle could get away.

The bullet travelled through the driver’s rear side door and through the driver’s seat before striking the driver in his left side.

The victim suffered serious injuries from the shooting but was able to drive to a relative’s residence, where he met EMS and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Grissom was later found walking in West Doniphan by Doniphan Assistant Chief of Police Taun Harber and arrested.

After deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all seven counts.

The defendant will appear before the Honorable Judge Proctor on a later date for sentencing.