Summary of The Strange Killing of Ken Rex McElroy

00:00:00 - 00:20:00

The town of Skidmore, Missouri dealt with the death of Ken Rex McElroy in a unique way. After he was shot and killed by law enforcement, the town held a meeting to discuss how to prevent him from harming anyone else. The sheriff suggested the formation of a neighborhood watch, and many in attendance seemed to agree. In 2009, the author of a book on the case, Harry N. MacLean, suggested that the shooting was not a planned act of vigilante justice but a series of random events that led to McElroy's death.

• 00:00:00 In 1981, Ken Rex McElroy was shot dead in the street in broad daylight, amongst as many as 60 witness. The crime remains unsolved, and some have suggested that McElroy's head injury may have been to blame. McElroy was known for his various alleged crimes, which were relatively minor in comparison to others on his criminal record.
• 00:05:00 Ken Rex McElroy was a notorious rapist and abuser of young women who was known to be heavily armed and unafraid of shooting police. However, his crimes were not stopped by the justice system and he eventually stalked and killed the family of Ernest Bowenkamp, who refused to give him candy. McElroy was eventually apprehended and killed by law enforcement.
• 00:10:00 In 1980, Ken Rex McElroy shot and killed Bo Bowenkamp, a grocer, in an alley behind the Bowenkamp General Store. Five months later, McElroy was arrested and charged with attempted murder. At his trial, Baird convinced the jury to convict him of second degree assault, which resulted in a two-year sentence. McElroy's subsequent arrests for weapons violations only postponed his court hearing. In 1981, a meeting was held at the town's Legion Hall to discuss what they could do to prevent McElroy from harming anyone else. The sheriff suggested the formation of a neighborhood watch, and many in attendance seemed to agree.
• 00:15:00 In this YouTube video, Shane and Ryan discuss the strange killing of Ken Rex McElroy, 47. At the meeting where McElroy was to be picked up for drinking, witnesses reports say that he and Trena were spotted heading to the D and G Tavern in Skidmore. Once the meeting adjourned, 60 people quietly descended upon the tavern and surrounded McElroy's truck. Some went into the bar and waited for McElroy to finish his drinks. When they returned to the truck, McElroy lit a cigarette and Trena allegedly turned over her shoulder and saw someone pull a rifle from the back of the truck and take aim at McElroy. Shots were then fired, shattering the truck's windows. Trena reportedly dove from her side of the vehicle onto the street and was picked up by Jack Clement and walked towards the bank for safety. McElroy was shot twice and killed. Clement denied any involvement and no other witnesses came forward. In 2009, Clement passed away and there have been no arrests made in the case. Harry N. MacLean, author of a book on the case, believes that the shooting was not a planned act of vigilante justice but a series of random events that led to McElroy's
• 00:20:00 Shane and Ryan discuss the morality of vigilante justice, and how Skidmore, Missouri dealt with Ken Rex McElroy's death. McElroy's death garnered national media attention and Shane believes it would be unfortunate to take away from the town's collective efforts.