Jefferson County Man Charged with Father’s Murder

(Festus)  A Jefferson County man has been charged with murder after fatally shooting his father.

Around 8:35 a.m. Saturday morning, Jefferson County 911 Dispatch received a call for a gunshot in the 1700 block of Burley Road in the Festus area. Upon their arrival, deputies found a 73-year-old man who had been shot. Police say Nathan A. Schweppe hit his father with a steel rebar on the face, causing his father to become unconscious and fall. Officials say Schweppe then grabbed a .38 caliber, pointed it at his father’s chest and fired one shot. The 73-year-old man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 42-year-old Schweppe was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Jefferson County Jail. He is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and domestic assault.