Neals Creek Murder Suspect in Custody in Iron County

(Bixby) A man from Boss was shot and killed Monday evening in Iron County near Bixby and police are treating it as a murder.

Regional Radio received information that the victim, 51-year-old Donald Ray Barton Jr., was seen lying in the middle of Neals Creek Road, about a mile or so southeast of the old Pump Cemetery.

At that time, Barton was conscious as he was laying in a pool of blood.

He had been shot in the stomach. An ambulance was called by a resident who drove upon the scene.

A news release from the Iron County Sheriff’s Department says Barton was taken by paramedics back out of Neals Creek Road to Bixby and Highway 32 and then to an awaiting air ambulance where he was flown to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan where he was later pronounced dead.

A member of the sheriff’s department tells Regional Radio they are treating this shooting and killing as a homicide and a suspect has now been taken into custody.

The suspects’ name has yet to be released, pending the filing of formal charges.

Assisting the Iron County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation is the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Viburnum Police Department and Pilot Knob Police Department.

The news release says more information will be released as it becomes available.