On Monday, January 20, 2025, authorities in Jefferson County, Missouri, responded to a violent incident at a residence located in the 4400 block of Victoria Station Road near De Soto. The investigation began after law enforcement received reports of gunfire at the home, situated in a rural area south of Hillsboro. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the lifeless body of 45-year-old Joel Dean Kessler, a male resident of Imperial, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, Kessler and an unnamed woman had arrived at the residence earlier that day to visit the homeowner. Reports indicate that the victim and the suspect did not know each other prior to this encounter. During the visit, the homeowner, identified as 23-year-old Caleb Hawkins, reportedly became unsettled by Kessler’s presence. Court documents allege that Hawkins told police he believed the visitor exuded 'wickedness' and that his body language appeared 'evil.' Hawkins allegedly claimed that the victim was attempting to provoke him into a lethal confrontation.
The situation escalated when Hawkins excused himself from the living room, ostensibly to retrieve a set of keys. Instead, he reportedly retrieved a 9mm Mossberg handgun from another part of the house. Upon returning to the room where his guests were seated, Hawkins is accused of embracing the female witness before drawing the weapon and firing multiple rounds at Kessler. The shooting occurred while the woman was in close proximity, though she was not physically injured.
Following the shooting, Caleb Hawkins was taken into custody by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to the shooting, citing his perception of the victim's 'evil' nature as the motivation. Prosecutors subsequently charged Hawkins with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was ordered to be held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail as legal proceedings commenced.
