A Saturday night gathering at the Peculiar Lions Community Building in Peculiar, Missouri, turned deadly on May 2, 2026. Forty-nine-year-old Melchor Carbjal-Hinojos was found outside the venue with a single gunshot wound after shots rang out around 10:15 p.m. He was taken to Belton Regional Medical Center but died of his injury.

Police say the shooter fled before officers arrived; investigators used drones, a helicopter and canine units in an immediate area search. The Peculiar Police Department, assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Raymore Police Department, collected evidence and pursued leads. A suspect was taken into custody but released after the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney declined to file charges, a decision the Peculiar Police Chief publicly disputed.

The investigation remains active. If anyone who attended the event or who has information about the shooting knows anything that could help, please contact the investigating agencies.