Missouri man charged with first-degree murder in wife’s shooting death, arrested three counties away

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – A 55-year-old Festus-area man is being held without bond after allegedly shooting and killing his wife, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Todd M. Capstick is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his wife, 56-year-old Dawn M. Capstick.

According to a probable cause statement filed Nov. 5, investigators were called to the couple’s home after a family member reported concerning activity during a video call with the victim.

The caller told dispatchers she had been speaking with Dawn Capstick when something was said about shooting. The phone appeared to be on the floor, and Todd Capstick briefly appeared on the screen before the call was muted and paused.

The family member disconnected the call and contacted 911.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they found Dawn Capstick in a bedroom with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators recovered multiple .45-caliber shell casings from the bedroom.

According to court documents, surveillance cameras at the residence captured Dawn Capstick entering the home through the garage, followed by her husband.

Approximately 22 minutes later, Todd Capstick was allegedly seen leaving the residence through the garage carrying a black and silver handgun. Investigators say he placed the firearm in his pants pocket before getting into the driver’s seat of a black Ford truck.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said investigators used the Flock Safety camera network to locate Capstick’s vehicle.

Authorities tracked him to a location three counties away, where the U.S. Marshals Service took him into custody approximately an hour after the incident.

Investigators recovered a black and silver .45-caliber handgun from inside the truck.

According to the probable cause statement, authorities also discovered a large amount of cash inside the vehicle.

Detective A. Ball stated in court documents that Capstick posed a potential danger to the community and was a flight risk, citing his departure from the scene and the money found in the vehicle.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for taking Capstick into custody and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office for holding him at its facility.

The sheriff’s office also credited Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski and her staff for quickly obtaining an in-custody warrant.

Capstick remains in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

The charges are allegations, and Capstick is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.