Skidmore, Missouri: The Town Full Of Real-Life Vigilantes Who Killed Ken McElroy
YouTubePolice at the murder scene of Ken McElroy, which was the work of several real-life vigilantes.
It didn’t take long for Ken McElroy to become the resident “bully” of Skidmore, Missouri. And considering his crimes, the “bully” label was putting things lightly. For years after he dropped out of school, he was accused of everything from theft and arson to child molestation and statutory rape. But despite being indicted 21 times, he dodged convictions at every turn.
After McElroy raped a 12-year-old girl, he divorced his wife and married the child when she was just 14 to avoid a statutory rape charge. When her parents objected, he shot their dog and burned down their house. And after he shot a farmer in 1976, he somehow produced two witnesses who claimed that McElroy was nowhere near the scene of the crime that day.
Ken McElroy was a true terror for Skidmore residents, and they wanted him removed immediately. McElroy’s downfall was a long time coming, but it truly fell into motion in 1980 after he shot the town’s elderly grocer in the neck. Though McElroy was charged with attempted murder and eventually convicted, he appealed the case and was later released on bond.
YouTubeNobody was ever charged in the murder of Ken McElroy.
Soon afterward, it seemed as though the entire town was present at a gathering on July 10, 1981, to discuss Ken McElroy. Though it’s unclear exactly what they said, there’s no question that they decided McElroy had to go.
Residents heard that McElroy had gone to the D&G Tavern for a drink. In a prime example of real-life vigilantes in action, the community walked to the bar to confront him. And with no warning, someone began shooting.
Some accounts describe up to 50 vigilantes involved in the onslaught. In the end, McElroy was shot multiple times and struck by at least two different firearms. He succumbed to the wounds in his truck. No one called an ambulance — or agreed to testify against another person in court.
To this day, no one has ever been charged in connection with his death.
