Joplin man arrested after parking lot confrontation that killed his mother

A Joplin man has been arrested for allegedly killing his mom.

Police say a confrontation with his elderly mother took place in the parking lot of The Plaza Apartments Friday morning.

Officers responded to reports of an assault in progress at 1715 S. Rex Avenue just before 9 am.

Police found 82-year-old Karol Betzel, of Joplin, suffering from life-threatening injuries. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she later died.

Investigators identified her son, 47-year-old Anthony Betzel, as the suspect.

Officers located him inside a nearby apartment and took him into custody without incident.

Anthony was booked into the Joplin City Jail, and police are seeking a second-degree murder charge.