One shot in RV target practice

A Hollister man is facing a felony assault charge after an incident on Aug. 9, 2026 which left a person with a gunshot wound.

Billy Joe Hunter is facing one count of Second Degree Assault after the shooting in Kirbyville. 

According to a probable cause statement filed in Taney County Court, Hunter was using an RV for target practice. The RV had been set in such a way that it was in the direct path of a building behind it.

Hunter is alleged to have told sheriff’s deputies he knew there was a structure in the background behind the RV but that he “did not know it was a house.” 

The rounds Hunter fired into the RV went clean through the vehicle. One of the rounds struck the victim in the lower right part of their abdomen as they were standing in their yard. The wound required them to be flown by Mercy Air Care to Springfield for treatment.

The probable cause report does not indicate any drug or alcohol use.

Upon conviction, the charge is a D class felony which could bring up to seven years in state prison.

According to CaseNet, Hunter is represented by Attorney Robert Paulson and has been released on bond.