Mitchell Duane Nickerson, a 49-year-old male, tragically lost his life following a violent incident in Moberly, Missouri, in the summer of 2021. On July 8, 2021, authorities responded to a reported shooting, discovering Nickerson with a critical gunshot wound to the head. He was promptly transported to the University of Missouri Hospital for emergency medical treatment. despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following morning on July 9, 2021.
Law enforcement officials quickly identified a suspect in connection with the shooting. Jerry Fitzwater, who was 79 years old at the time of the incident, was taken into custody on the night of the shooting. Police reports indicate that officers recovered a firearm at Fitzwater’s residence believed to be the weapon used in the attack, along with ammunition found on his person. During interviews with investigators, Fitzwater allegedly admitted to the shooting, stating he had decided to 'take matters into his own hands' due to his suspicion of drug activity in the neighborhood, though he reportedly told police he was unsure of the specific identity of the person he had shot.
The legal consequences for Fitzwater were severe. initially facing charges of first-degree assault, the prosecution upgraded the charges to first-degree murder following Nickerson's death. In addition to the murder charge, Fitzwater was also charged with armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He was arraigned in Randolph County court in October 2021, where the details of his alleged admission and the circumstances surrounding the vigilantism-style attack were presented as part of the legal proceedings.
