Springfield man killed in collision west of Republic

A Springfield man was killed in a two-vehicle collision 4:22 a.m. today on MO 360, one mile west of Republic.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2011 Peterbilt tractor attempted a u-turn and and became disabled, blocking the roadway.

A 2018 Ford Taurus driven by Gary C. Sawyer, 74, Springfield, struck the passenger side of the tractor's towed unit.

Sawyer was killed in the crash.

The fatality was the ninth this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Aurora man killed in crash

An Aurora man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 3:50 p.m. today on Farm Road 2212, three-quarters of a mile east of Aurora.

According to the Highway Patrol report, 2007 Chrysler 300 driven by Paul W. Sheridan, 57, Aurora, ran off the left side of the road and struck a gate and the corner post of a fence.

Sheridan was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Hawks of Mercy Hospital at 4:26 p.m.

The fatality was the 10th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Cassville Police: Do you know this man?

 

Nixa man killed in motorcycle accident

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 10, 2023, at 2:38 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the area of Grant and Grand regarding a single motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle.

A red 1994 Honda motorcycle, driven by Bobby Jones (43 of Nixa), was eastbound on Grand and lost control. Jones was ejected from the motorcycle. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Jones’ family has been notified.

Anyone with any information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department.

The investigation is ongoing as to the circumstances involved in the crash. This is the 4th fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2023.

Springfield Police handle domestic assault involving handgun, robbery at Papa John's

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Saturday night, officers responded to a domestic assault in the 1300 block of W. Phelps. The suspect, later identified as Amanda Pratt, 38, fired a handgun at the victim.

During an argument, Pratt told the victim to leave the residence. When the victim refused to leave, Pratt retrieved a handgun. Pratt pointed the firearm in the direction of the victim and fired one round which did not strike the victim. The victim exited the residence. When police arrived on scene, the victim was outside and officers arrested Pratt for 1st degree domestic assault.

***
Officers responded to a robbery late Saturday night at Papa John's on W. Kearney.
Two employees were closing the store when the suspect, later identified as Anthony Costa, 50, walked in the front door armed with a handgun demanding money. 

While pointing the handgun at the employees, Costa pushed them into the walk-in freezer and attempted to lock the door handle with a pen. When the employees heard the door chime, they exited the walk-in freezer. Costa had left the store and all the cash was missing. Costa was later arrested and charged for 1st degree robbery and kidnapping.

***
On Monday night, officers were dispatched to 3000 block of W. Calhoun regarding a male suspect, later identified as Thomas Gamble, 34, aggressively banging on residential doors and entering unlocked vehicles. Gamble entered an occupied residence through a window. The occupant exited the residence as officers arrived on scene. Gamble was arrested for 1st degree burglary.

Monett Police Department Activity Report

 

Aurora traffic stop leads to discovery of syringes pre-loaded with meth

(From the Aurora and Marionville Police Department)

A traffic stop in Aurora resulted in the discovery of syringes that had been pre-loaded with methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 
We continue to offer help and can connect you to services that can help with mental health and addiction. This does not have to be your life. You do not have to become a felon. You do not have to live this miserable existence. Let us help. 417-678-5025

Arrest and photo credit to Officer B. Baldwin

Suspect arrested in Springfield shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Jan. 28, 2023, at 6:48 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to the 2500 block of S. Linden after a 911 caller stated shots were heard in the area. When officers arrived, they found evidence of a shooting at the intersection of Linden and Sunset. While checking the area, officers located a vehicle in the parking lot of Glendale High School at 2727 S. Ingram Mill Rd. that had been struck multiple times by gun fire.

While officers were processing the scene, a male arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. During an interview with the male, he stated he was shot at the above location but would not give any further details regarding the incident.

 

SPD Violent Crimes detectives were able to identifiy Keyshawn McElroy as the suspect in the shooting. On Feb. 1, 2023, Republic Police Department officers located McElroy and his vehicle at 332 W. Grace in Republic, Missouri.

The Springfield Police Violent Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the Missouri Highway Patrol and Republic Police Department, obtained a search warrant for the residence in Republic. Prior to the search warrant being served, McElroy left the residence and was arrested. He was booked into the Greene County jail for 1st Degree Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

 

On Feb. 2, 2023, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review and consideration of filing criminal charges.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this shooitng to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Suicidal Springfield man shot to death after pointing gun at police officers

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Feb. 1, 2023, at 1:46 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were sent to Tom Watkins Park at 2100 W. High St. to check the well-being of a male who was making suicidal statements. 

When the officers arrived, they contacted the man in the middle of the park. While officers were talking with him, he said he had a gun and proceeded to draw a handgun from his waistband. The officers immediately ordered him to drop the gun, but he failed to comply and instead pointed the handgun toward them. 

The officers fired their handguns at the man, striking him several times. The officers immediately took him into custody and performed life-saving measures while awaiting the arrival of paramedics. However, he did not survive.

 

The deceased male has been identified as Justin M. Barker, 33, from Springfield. Barker’s family has been notified.

The four officers involved in the shooting incident have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. The results of a concurrent criminal investigation will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The Springfield Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who has additional information to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Springfield man charged with illegally possessing firearm

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Springfield, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm.

Timothy Zegar, 39, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 31, with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Zegar, who was arrested today, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Feb. 6, 2023.

The complaint alleges that Zegar was in possession of a Spike’s Tactical .556-caliber rifle between Jan. 18 and 21, 2023.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Zegar has a prior felony conviction for fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, the FBI began investigating Zegar for illegally trafficking firearms in August 2022. An undercover special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives contacted Zegar about purchasing a firearm on Jan. 18, 2023. The undercover agent met Zegar at his residence and purchased the Spike’s Tactical rifle from Zegar on Jan. 21, 2023.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.