In the early morning hours of July 31, 2017, the life of 31-year-old Matthew Dwayne Schrimsher was tragically cut short in Doniphan, Missouri. A lifelong resident of the nearby Briar community, Schrimsher was a husband and father. On that fateful morning, events unfolded at a Ripley County residence that would end in violence and loss.
The incident began when Benjamin Ruhl, Schrimsher's 36-year-old brother-in-law, reportedly brandished a gun at a teenage girl inside the home.
This act of aggression prompted Schrimsher and several children to flee from the basement to the main floor of the house. As they ascended the stairs, Ruhl followed in pursuit. In a desperate attempt to protect himself and the children, Schrimsher tried to secure the basement door. It was then that Ruhl fired a shot through the closed door, striking and fatally wounding Schrimsher.
Following the shooting, Ruhl fled into the nearby woods. He also fired a shot at an emergency vehicle that had responded to the scene. A manhunt ensued, but Ruhl later surrendered to authorities. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His bond was set at $500,000. An autopsy later confirmed that a gunshot wound was the cause of Schrimsher's death.
