FESTUS, Mo. (Sept. 24, 2025) — A Festus teenager has been charged with felony harassment and misdemeanor peace disturbance after allegedly throwing fireworks at an occupied residence in March, prosecutors stated in a criminal complaint filed on Sept. 22, 2025.

Mason Elijah Schirmer, age 19, of Festus, is accused of igniting and throwing two large mortar-style fireworks at a home on March 17, 2025. The residence was occupied at the time by three female victims, according to the complaint filed by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Authorities say the explosions caused “severe and extreme emotional distress” to the victims, who believed they were being specifically targeted by Schirmer and others. Investigators noted that the victims were also involved in a prior criminal case in which they were listed as victims, further contributing to their distress.

As a result of the incident and the ongoing situation, one of the victims reported experiencing harassment both at school and at home, along with a loss of friendships and personal relationships, the complaint states.

Schirmer faces one count of first-degree harassment, a Class E felony, and one count of first-offense peace disturbance, a Class B misdemeanor.

The above charges are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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