On December 16, 2023, authorities in Bollinger County, Missouri, began an investigation into the death of 53-year-old White female Tina Lisa Skaggs. Deputies responded to a residence located along State Highway Y in Glen Allen following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival at the scene, law enforcement officials discovered Skaggs' body lying in a residential yard, having sustained fatal injuries. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
At the time of discovery, Skaggs was found gripping a butcher knife, an item the suspect later claimed to have previously given to her.
The investigation immediately focused on a neighbor, 79-year-old Terry Allen, who was present at the scene when authorities arrived. Allen was detained by the Bollinger County Sheriff's Office and subsequently arrested in connection with the homicide. Detectives uncovered a history of ongoing disputes between Allen and Skaggs. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Allen had reportedly expressed intentions to harm Skaggs' son regarding alleged property issues and had made statements concerning his belief in his right to shoot trespassers.
Following his arrest, Terry Allen was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. A warrant was issued for his incarceration without bond. The case highlighted the escalating tensions between the neighbors that ultimately culminated in violence outside the residence. Law enforcement officials continued to investigate the precise motives and circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter as the legal process against Allen commenced.
