Vandalia Man Identified As Victim In Shooting Suspect Arrested And Charges Filed

First Degree Murder charges have been filed by the Audrain County prosecutor’s office against a Laddonia man for the shooting death of a man found in rural Vandalia.

18-year-old Christopher Brickey, is being held in the Audrain County Jail without bond.

According to a press release from Audrain County Sheriff Matt Oller the victim was identified as 23-year-old Matthew Stewart of Vandalia.

Another juvenile suspect is in custody of the Audrain County Juvenile Office for first-degree murder and armed criminal action pending a mandatory hearing for adult certification, according to the press release.

Deputies found Stewart’s body along Audrain Road 556 on Thursday afternoon and said there were multiple gunshot wounds.

According to court records, while talking to investigators, Brickey said he and a juvenile went to handle a previous dispute involving Stewart.

According to the Audrain County Sheriff’s Office that robbery for Stewart’s firearm and an alleged previous altercation between Stewart and a suspect’s family member was the motive for the shooting.

Brickey also reportedly told investigators the juvenile wanted to shoot the victim, but asked Brickey to shoot first.

According to the probable cause statement Brickey admitted to shooting Stewart, at which point Stewart started running away and the juvenile started shooting at Stewart.

Brickey reportedly admitted that he and the juvenile went up to Stewart’s body and shot it multiple times.

Brickey has an initial court appearance scheduled for December 5th at 11am.