Suspect’s mother testifies about fatal shooting in Sturgeon murder trial
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The mother of a man suspected of killing his father testified Thursday that her son admitted to the shooting immediately afterward.
Tracy Perkins testified Thursday that her son told her, “I just shot your husband,” after she heard gunshots inside their home.
Tracy Perkins is the mother of Dalton Perkins and the wife of Steven Perkins, who was killed in May 2025. Her testimony came on the second day of Dalton Perkins’ Boone County murder trial. Dalton Perkins, 33, of Sturgeon, is charged with second-degree murder and other felonies in his father’s death.
Tracy Perkins said she had a friend over to play cards when she went inside to tell her husband and son to stop arguing about the loud music her son was playing. She testified that Dalton Perkins pushed her to the ground. Steven Perkins then got out of his chair and tackled Dalton, and the two briefly wrestled.
She said Steven put Dalton in a chokehold, and she sat on her son to restrain him. She believed the initial struggle lasted five to 10 minutes.
Tracy Perkins testified that she called out to her friend to call 911, but said the woman did not have her phone outside and did not come inside to call. She then saw Dalton Perkins get a gun out of a refrigerator and heard the first shot as she opened her storm door to leave the house.
She did not see Dalton Perkins look at or point the gun at her, she testified.
Tracy Perkins said she heard four or five more shots and ran back inside. She testified that she saw Dalton Perkins walk into the kitchen and set down the gun before telling her, “I just shot your husband.”
Steven was on the couch and told her, “I think I’m dying,” she testified. Tracy Perkins said she responded, “Please don’t die,” then called 911 and began CPR, continuing until emergency responders arrived.
A forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy records and photographs testified that Steven Perkins had five bullet entry wounds to his torso. Dr. Charles Glenn said the gun was fired within about 4 to 5 feet of Steven Perkins.
Glenn did not perform the autopsy and said he could not determine the path of every wound, including which were entry, exit or re-entry wounds.
Earlier Thursday, paramedic Isabella McGlasson testified that she saw shell casings on the floor and wounds on Steven’s chest and back. She said CPR was performed for about 40 minutes.
Dalton Perkins’ attorney said during opening statements that Dalton shot Steven in self-defense because he feared his father would get another gun in the house. During cross-examination, Tracy Perkins testified that Dalton had said, “You guys are trying to kill me,” during the struggle.
Dalton Perkins is also charged with two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
Read ABC17’s previous coverage of the trial.
