JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced that a man has been charged after he shot and killed another man inside his home Monday.
According to court records, 23-year-old Caleb Hawkins is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Police state that around 12:30 p.m., 45-year-old Joel Kessler and another person were visiting Hawkins’ home in the 4400 block of Victoria Station Rd. Hawkins then left the two in the living room while he went and retrieved a gun, hiding it in his waistband.
When Hawkins returned to the living room, he hugged the second person and began shooting his gun at Kessler.
Kessler was pronounced dead at the scene. The other individual was not injured.
Court documents state that Hawkins told investigators that he believed Kessler displayed “wickedness,” and his body language screamed “evil.”
“Caleb said (Kessler) was trying to get him to kill him even though he already knew he needed to kill,” the probable cause statement reads. “(Caleb) began discharging the firearm at (Kessler) until he believed the wickedness was gone…once (Kessler) fell to the floor, he stopped shooting.”
Police arrested Hawkins, and he was taken to the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.