Missouri State Highway Patrol identifies suspect, Mississippi County murder-suicide
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo., (KBSI) — A Sikeston police officer and two other people are dead after what authorities describe as an apparent murder-suicide at a rural home in southeast Missouri.
The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Monday to a residence at 8101 County Road 408, about 20 miles south of the Illinois–Missouri state line, for a report of a missing person.
When deputies arrived, they found one person dead inside the home and secured the scene. Additional law-enforcement agencies were requested to assist after information suggested a possible barricaded individual remained inside the residence.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the suspect was identified as Nathan B. Peters, 36, of Sikeston, who was wanted in connection with a homicide earlier in the day. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team responded to assist deputies in locating and apprehending Peters.
At approximately 7:36 p.m., as SWAT members were positioned outside the residence and attempting to contact Peters by telephone and loudspeaker, the suspect opened fire on officers. Officer Henry J. Franklin, 41, of Sikeston was struck by gunfire and mortally wounded. Peters continued to fire from inside the residence.
At about 8 p.m., Sikeston DPS requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C SWAT unit. Negotiations continued for several hours until approximately 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, when Troop C SWAT members entered the home and found Peters dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said several regional, state, and federal agencies assisted at the scene, including the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troops E and C, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, and the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office.
Early Tuesday morning, officers and emergency medical personnel were seen removing two of the deceased from the residence, including the fallen officer.
The Sikeston Department of Public Safety later confirmed the loss of Officer Henry Franklin, a 12-year veteran of the department who served on the Tactical Team and as the handler for K9 Odin. Franklin had also served in the Army National Guard.
“Our department has suffered an unimaginable loss,” said Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director James McMillen. “We ask that you keep Franklin’s family and our department in your prayers.”
Franklin, a native of Charleston, is survived by his wife, Leah, and four children, as well as his mother, Sally Turner Doyle, and sister, Amy Eastman.
Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow ordered all flags in the city to be flown at half-staff through the end of the day of Franklin’s funeral.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is leading the investigation into the incident at the request of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Once complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney for review.
Authorities said no further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
For further information about the officer-involved shooting, contact MSHP Sergeant Bradley Germann at 573-526-6122. Inquiries regarding Officer Franklin should be directed to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.
