In the early morning hours of a March weekend just outside Steedman, Missouri, a confrontation at a local bar tragically cut short the life of 26-year-old Orion Quesenberry. The male victim was fatally shot on March 2, 2024, in the 8000 block of State Road CC, following a dispute with an employee of the establishment. The Callaway County Sheriff's Office identified the man who fired the fatal shot as Dennis Klier, the 64-year-old owner of Uncle D's, the bar where the incident unfolded.
The events leading to the deadly encounter began inside the bar after midnight, where Quesenberry and his girlfriend were present. An altercation broke out between Quesenberry and Klier, during which authorities believe Quesenberry committed a felony assault against the bar owner. Photos reportedly showed Klier with several injuries from this initial fight. After Klier managed to get Quesenberry outside the bar, a tense 20-minute standoff ensued, which was captured on a 911 call made by another person at the scene.
During this recorded period, Klier can be heard taunting Quesenberry and threatening to shoot him if he came any closer. Despite these warnings, Quesenberry allegedly continued to try and get back inside the bar. It was at this point that Klier discharged his weapon a single time, striking and killing Quesenberry. Subsequent investigations revealed that both Quesenberry and Klier had blood alcohol levels over the legal limit to drive at the time of the incident.
Following an investigation by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, the case was turned over to the county's prosecuting attorney, Ben Miller, for review. In a significant development in June 2024, Miller announced that no charges would be filed against Dennis Klier. The prosecutor concluded that the shooting qualified as self-defense under the law. Miller stated that given Quesenberry had previously assaulted Klier and that Klier was at his own place of business, the law permitted the use of deadly force based on a reasonable belief of harm. The prosecutor's decision was detailed in a letter to the Sheriff's Office, and he indicated he would not comment further on the matter.
