Smithville Woman Charged with Murder

An argument between an engaged couple in Smithville spun out of control and resulted in murder on Thursday, December 10. This was the first homicide in Smithville in over 15 years.

Ackerman was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action

The Smithville Police Department states that officers responded to a shooting call at a duplex shared by Lori A. Ackerman, 47, and Shannon Tate, 48, in the 100 block of Tipperary Street. When the officers arrived, they found Tate on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to an area hospital where he died Friday.

Court documents from the Clay County prosecutor state Ackerman and Tate were in a heated argument when they began to struggle over control of a handgun. Ackerman allegedly shot Tate in the head during that argument; she then called 911 to report the incident.

Ackerman was arraigned on Monday, December 14, in Clay County Court. She was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. She’s currently held at the Clay County Correctional Facility in Liberty with a $1,000,000 bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story