The suspect in a shooting on Saturday at the Quality Inn in Carthage led investigators on an overnight trail to Lamar before being captured Sunday morning in a church in Lamar.
Lane J. Stephens, 29, Carthage faces multiple criminal charges in Jasper and Barton counties for the shootings that left Don Pierce, 43, Carthage dead, and Stephens’ estranged wife, Toni Stephens, 25, injured.
Carthage Police Spokesman Chad Dininger said Toni Stephens was released from the hospital late Saturday after treatment for more than one gunshot wound.
Lamar Police Sgt. Dennis Cornell said his department received a call at 8 a.m., Sunday of a suspicious person, matching the description of the Carthage shooting suspect, in the First Christian Church, 1208 Walnut St., Lamar.
Officers responded and determined the man was Stephens and took him into custody after a struggle.
“Officer John Simpson was cut twice with a knife,” Lamar Police posted on its Facebook page. “He was treated at a local hospital, but is being released. His injuries were minor and he is in good spirits. We thank everyone who inquired and was concerned for Officer Simpson. The Lamar Police Department would like to thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Lamar First Christian Church, in helping with the apprehension of the suspect wanted by the Carthage Police Department.”
The shooting took place at the Quality Inn motel at 2701 S. Hazel St. at about 10:56 a.m. on Saturday.
Dininger said Stephens carjacked two vehicles after the shooting and abandoned both.
The truck stolen from the Quality Inn parking lot was abandoned in Carthage and the Hyundai Santa Fe stolen from the O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot at 11:45 a.m. Saturday was found in a field near Civil War Road and Pine Road north of Carthage.
Dininger said it’s possible Stephens walked from the field to a convenience store in Jasper, where someone gave him a ride to the Lamar Lake.
“We do know who gave him the ride from Jasper to Lamar and dropped him off,” Dininger said. “That person won’t face charges. It was completely not related to the crimes, they were just being nice and were obviously not aware of the situation that was going on.”
Officers from Carthage, Lamar, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol used a tracking dog and helicopter to search the area around Lamar Lake late into the evening on Saturday, but they didn’t find him until the call came in Sunday morning.
Cornell said investigators will seek charges of assault and assault on a law enforcement officer in Barton County.
Dininger said Stephens faces numerous charges related to the two shootings and two carjackings in Jasper County.
