Suspect in Joplin Halloween killings shot himself in standoff with police
The couple found deceased in a Joplin home on Halloween is now being worked as a double homicide.
Joplin Police Department has released this update:
“This case is being worked as a double homicide. During the investigation Joplin Police detectives identified a possible suspect and have been working on leads involving that suspect. The suspect was involved in an incident in Newton County earlier this morning with the Newton County Sherriff’s Office. Joplin Police detectives responded to assist. During the incident the suspect received a self-inflicted gunshot. The suspect is currently in critical condition at a local hospital. The suspect will be identified pending formal charges. Further information will be released as it becomes available.”
Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings also released a statement saying:
“On todays date Oklahoma officials pursued an individual into Missouri on 60 Highway. The individual turned south on Antelope road then got out of his vehicle on foot. The subject was a suspect in a recent Joplin homicide. He was armed with a handgun. A perimeter was established around the man to keep him from fleeing. Newton County Deputies, MSHP, Seneca Officers and Oklahoma Officers were all on scene. Contact was established with the individual and he indicated he was suicidal. He also requested to speak with Joplin Detectives regarding the homicide. The suspect displayed his firearm numerous times and after approximately 3 hours of negotiations he shot himself. The subject was transported by ambulance to a Joplin Hospital. The scene is being processed by Newton County Detectives.”
This is part of the ongoing story relating to the two people found dead in Joplin:
Joplin police found 2 dead adults in their home on Monday a few blocks from Cunningham park.
The victims were recently identified as 35 year old Stacy Rush of Joplin, MO and 35 year old Eric Stampfli of Grove, Ok. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 AM in Springfield, MO.
There was a juvenile present at the residence during the incident. The juvenile was not involved with what took place and was uninjured. Further information will be released as it becomes available.
On the day the bodies were found Joplin police had offered this press release:
Original Release
On October 31, 2022, at approximately 9:16 PM the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a call of two individuals who were unresponsive at 2216 S. Annie Baxter Ave. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male and adult female deceased inside the residence.
Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are actively working the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time. If you have any information regarding this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Joplin Police Department. Further details will be released as they become available.