Douglas County deputies arrest man after officer-involved shooting

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Douglas County deputies attempted to arrest a man wanted for forgery at a home southeast of Ava, Missouri. When the suspect, Edward Arthur Bowman Jr., refused to exit the home, he shone a spotlight and pointed a gun at the deputies through a bedroom window. A deputy then fired shots into the bedroom, though the shots did not strike Bowman. The sheriff was eventually able to force Bowman out of the house, and he was arrested.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings, even when no one is injured, raise concerns about use of force and de-escalation tactics by law enforcement. This incident highlights the risks and challenges deputies face when attempting to apprehend armed and uncooperative suspects.

The details

According to authorities, deputies attempted to arrest Edward Arthur Bowman Jr. at a home southeast of Ava, Missouri around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Bowman was wanted for forgery, but he refused to exit the home. Bowman then shone a spotlight and pointed a gun at the deputies through a bedroom window. In response, a deputy fired shots into the bedroom, though Bowman was not struck. The sheriff was eventually able to force Bowman out of the house, and he was taken into custody.

• The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.

What’s next

The suspect, Edward Arthur Bowman Jr., will likely face additional charges related to the incident, including for pointing a firearm at law enforcement officers.