LEBANON, Mo. (KY3) – A Springfield man has been charged in connection with a shooting investigation Sunday night.

According to court documents, John Hilliard, 53, is charged with unlawful use of a weapon. An arrest warrant has been issued for him.

According to the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred in the 23000 block of Penner Lane in Lebanon, near an apartment.

When officers arrived at the scene they discovered that several shots had been fired in the area, one of which hit a 21-year-old woman in the hand. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police say four people were in the apartment at the time of the shooting.

“There were multiple shots fired at the residence, from outside the apartment. There were four occupants in the apartment during the time of the shooting,” said Laclede County Sheriff David Millsap.

Investigators say they were able to locate the car Hilliard was driving at the time. Authorities found the car on I-44 and stopped it. Hilliard was arrested.

According to court documents, Hilliard told investigators he was the getaway driver for two suspects in the shooting. Hilliard said the two men got out of his car, drove away and waited for them. He turned around and the two returned to the car, one of them carrying a gun.

The two men told Hilliard to drive to a Denny’s and switch to another car parked there. The person driving the other car gave Hilliard a ride back to Springfield.

Investigators searched Hilliard’s car involved in the shooting. They noticed a pool of blood in the back seat, leading investigators to believe one of the suspects was injured in the shooting.

Investigators say Hilliard may not appear in court in response to a subpoena because he is on probation in Arkansas. Investigators contacted Hilliard’s probation officer, who said he does not have permission to be in Missouri for any reason.

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