D&G Tavern: The site where Ken McElroy was killed

This is the location where "town bully" Ken McElroy was killed in broad daylight.

The shooting took place outside D&G Tavern at 208 West Elm Street in Skidmore, Missouri.

These days, the unit is empty.

McElroy was a convicted felon who was accused of crimes such as arson, attempted murder, burglary, child molestation, and statutory rape.

He regularly intimidated members of his community by stalking them, parking outside their homes, and pointing weapons at them.

On one occasion, he allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl. When her parents threatened to press charges, he burned down their home. Later, the girl was reportedly forced to marry him.

In 1980, one of his children was accused of stealing from a local grocery store. This led to a confrontation between McElroy and the owner, Ernest "Bo" Bowenkamp.

During the incident, McElroy shot Bowenkamp in the neck with a shotgun.

Although McElroy was convicted of assault and sentenced to two years in prison, he was later released on a $40,000 appeal bond.

News of his temporary release stunned residents, many of whom believed "the town bully" was finally gone.

On the morning of July 10, 1981, McElroy and his wife drove to the D&G Tavern. After ordering a few beers, he started muttering threats about how he was going to "finish Bowenkamp off."

While McElroy was drinking at the tavern, the local sheriff was holding a meeting with frustrated residents at the nearby Legion Hall.

By that stage, the people of Skidmore had lost all trust in the system, as it was seemingly unable to protect them from the violent man who was making their lives hell.

When the residents received word that McElroy was in town, they marched over to Elm Street and crowded inside the bar.

Meanwhile, the sheriff got in his vehicle and drove to his office, which was out of town.

Soon, the tavern was filled with men, many of whom simply stood motionless and stared.

Sensing it was time to go, McElroy purchased a six-pack of beer and left the tavern with his wife.

After getting in his truck, he sat behind the wheel with a defiant smirk on his face. To demonstrate he was leaving on his terms, he slowly put a cigarette up to his mouth.

However, he never got the chance to light the cigarette, as gunshots rang out as soon as it touched his lips.

It is believed that two gunmen in the crowd shot McElroy.

Although more than 40 people were present during the killing, everyone claimed that they didn't see the shooters. Tellingly, none of them called for an ambulance either.

Six law enforcement agencies took part in the investigation, which quickly stalled due to the lack of witnesses.

McElroy's wife claimed that one of the gunmen was a man named Del Clement. However, a state grand jury decided not to indict Clement because nobody would corroborate her story.

Consequently, the case went cold.

McElroy's killing remains unsolved to this day.