Rent dispute leads to murder-suicide at Branson Manor Apartments

(From the Branson Police Department)

Branson Police Officers responded to a report of an active shooter at the Branson Manor Apartments, located at 218 Old Country Rd, at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023. 

Officers made immediate entry and quickly located one person deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers then searched the remainder of the building and found one additional victim in a management office.

A preliminary investigation indicates that this was a murder-suicide that resulted from a rent dispute. The deceased are identified as:Suspect: Stephen Walsh, 77, of Branson (Tenant)
Victim: Whitney Davis, 47, of Branson (Manager)

Clergy and the Police Liaison from Burrell Behavioral Health were on scene to assist the residents. Additionally, the complex is working on counselors to assist in the coming days. Because of the initial reports of an active shooter, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Taney County Sheriff’s Office were requested to assist. 

The Branson Fire Department and the Taney County Ambulance District also responded. The Branson Police Department continues to investigate and will provide updates if information changes.

The Department would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of those involved and impacted by this tragedy and encourages those who are dealing with difficulties, depression or other complications to seek help. If family members are aware of loved ones who are suffering, please encourage them to seek assistance or request it on their behalf.

Two people shot to death at Branson Manor Apartments

(From the Branson Police Department)

UPDATE 12:49 PM: Branson Police can confirm there are two people who have been found deceased. These individuals appeared to have been acquainted with one another. 

There is no ongoing threat to the public and police believe nobody else was involved.

Original news release
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Branson Police have responded to a shots fired call at the Branson Manor Apartments. This is not an active shooter situation and there is no threat to the public. 

This is an active scene and police ask that people avoid this area at this time. 

More information will be released when it becomes available.

Police need help identifying tractor trailer, driver that killed Springfield man

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department needs the public’s assistance to identify the tractor trailer, box trailer, and driver involved in a Sept. 29 crash that killed Todd A. Tennison.

The tractor is white with a sleeper and has the number “274” on the front fender. The trailer is a 53-foot white box trailer with “Wabash” on the rear of the trailer and on the left mud flap. Wabash is the trailer manufacturer, not the owner. 

While we have a license plate number, additional information on the trailer and driver is needed.

If anyone recognizes the vehicle or knows the driver, please contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-874-2209 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for leading heroin conspiracy

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a large heroin trafficking organization with his wife.

Larry K. Hayward, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Aug. 24, 2022, Hayward was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distributing heroin, and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.

According to evidence introduced during the trial, Hayward and his wife, co-defendant Jasmine D. Steed, 36, were co-leaders of a criminal organization that consistently distributed heroin in the Springfield community from approximately Nov. 15, 2016, to Oct. 17, 2018. Court documents conservatively estimate they distributed at least three kilograms of heroin during that nearly two-year period. Hayward and Steed obtained heroin from a source in Chicago, Illinois. They distributed heroin themselves and recruited others to help distribute heroin.

Law enforcement officers executed search warrants at both of Hayward’s residences in Springfield and Waynesville, Mo. At his Waynesville residence, officers found a loaded Sig Sauer .380-caliber pistol, $5,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Steed was present during the search of their Springfield residence, where officers found heroin.

Hayward has four prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and a prior felony conviction for selling cocaine to an undercover officer. He also has a prior felony conviction for burglary, three misdemeanor convictions for possession of drugs, and a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Hayward is the fifth and final defendant to be sentenced in this case. Steed was sentenced on March 25, 2021, to 16 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Richard J. Smith, 48, of Springfield, Rashad J. Moore, 31, of Branson, Mo. and Damario J. Brown, 33, whose address was unknown, also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron A. Beaver. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Mount Vernon Police: Do you know these guys?

(From the Mount Vernon Police Department)

The Mt Vernon MO Police Department is needing help identifying the two men in the photos. 

If you have any information please call Mt Vernon Police Department at 417-466-2122 or the non-emergency dispatch number and ask to speak to an officer at 417-316-6006.

Springfield man struck, killed on Kansas Expressway

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Sept. 29, 2023, at 9:54 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the area of 2825 N. Kansas Expressway regarding a motor vehicle crash.

A white tractor trailer pulling a 52-foot box trailer was eastbound on the access road leaving the parking lot and made a right turn to go southbound on Kansas Expressway. As the truck turned, the trailer left the roadway and hit Todd A. Tennison, 51, of Springfield, who had been seated on the ground, just off the roadway.

 

Tennison was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries on Oct. 1, 2023. Tennison’s family has been notified.

The tractor trailer left the scene of the accident and has not yet been located.

The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. Anyone with any information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This was Springfield’s 21st fatal motor vehicle crash in 2023.

Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for sexual exploitation of 11-year-old Minnesota victim

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his sexual exploitation of an 11-year-old child victim in Minnesota.

Jeffrey Scott Saltkill, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Saltkill will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

On Dec. 1, 2022, Saltkill pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of children. Saltkill admitted that he communicated online and via text with an 11-year-old Minnesota girl after she posted her cell phone number on the chat website Omegle. Posing as two separate persons (including a teenage boy), Saltkill engaged in graphic sexual conversations and exchanged pornographic images with the child victim. She gave Saltkill the name of her town and school, and he indicated that he would visit her in person.

When the child victim’s mother handed her daughter’s cell phone over to law enforcement, an undercover FBI agent responded to Saltkill, using the persona of the child victim. Saltkill told the undercover agent that he was in the child victim’s town, but the undercover agent told him they were out of town. Saltkill continued to communicate with the undercover agent, whom he believed to be the child victim, sending links to videos of adult pornography and urging her to engage in sexual activity.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Saltkill’s residence. Saltkill told investigators that he was addicted to communicating with children and obtaining pornographic images. He said he had similar sexual communications with four or five additional minors within the last two years.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Monett man charged with felony DWI after crashing into parked police car, injuring officer

A Monett man is charged with felony driving while intoxicated after hitting a parked Monett police car with its emergency lights activated in the rear 10:10 p.m. Monday.

According to the Highway Patrol report, the police car, a 2018 Ford Explorer, was parked on the shoulder on Cleveland Avenue when it was struck in the rear by a 2009 Nissan Versa driven by Ronald V. Roetto, 52, Monett.

The officer, Jalynn L. Harner, 26, Monett, who was in the car, and Roetto were treated for moderate injuries at Cox Monett.

Roetto was also cited for failure to drive on the right half of the roadway.

Marionville Casey's customers, staff stop masked gunman during robbery

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

On 9-30-2023 late in the evening, a masked assailant entered the Casey’s in Marionville armed with a handgun. On camera, they are seen going behind the counter and taking vape supplies before being seen by staff. A brief struggle ensued which other customers joined in to help with.

 
Ultimately, AMPD arrived and took 18 year old Nickolas Justice into custody for the robbery. It was also discovered the handgun he possessed was reported stolen out of a nearby jurisdiction. It was collected and is in police custody. Justice is currently held at the Lawrence County Jail. He is innocent until proven guilty.

 
This is still an active investigation.

It is a blessing no one was hurt during this incident. Like it or not, Missouri is a constitutional carry state. When a criminal masks themselves and enters an establishment armed, there is a real risk of someone in the store being armed as well. This could have ended in death. If you’re living a lifestyle that would lead to this type of ridiculous behavior, come ask us for help. It may save your life.

Springfield woman killed, three injured in crash west of Crane

 A Springfield woman was killed and three people injured in a one-vehicle accident 2:50 p.m. Sunday on Old Wire Road three miles west of Crane.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2001 Buick Sentry driven by Andrew J. Davis, 37, Crane, went off the side of the road, struck several fence posts and overturned.

A passenger, Linda M. Meyers, 51, Springfield, was pronounced dead by Cox Ambulance 105 member Justin Payne at 2:58 p.m.

Davis was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Two other passengers, Candace M. Sartin, 37, Marionville, and a 9-year-old Marionville girl, were treated for serious and moderate injuries, respectively at Mercy Springfield.

The fatality was the 109th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.