SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- City police are investigating a shooting death on Wednesday evening near some businesses and Bradford Park Apartments on the east side of National Avenue near Walnut Lawn Street. A 23-year-old man, whose identity wasn't released as of midday Thursday, was fatally shot and found on the ground between the Bradford Park Apartments and near The Vision Clinic.
"There were some employees here inside The Vision Clinic, as well as some people in the Bradford Park Apartments, that had heard some shots and saw some vehicles leaving, but what actually happened, we haven't talked to any witnesses that actually saw what happened," said Springfield Police Lt. Scott Umbarger.
A weapon was not found, but officers say they found shell casings. As of Thursday, police had no suspects and no motive. They asked anyone with information to call the department at (417) 864-1810. People also can anonymously call Crime Stoppers, (417) 869-TIPS (8477), or send a text to CRIMES (274637) with a heading of "417SPD+your tip."
A resident who has lived in the apartment complex for more than five years said he had never seen any problems with crime in the area.
"I don't think we've ever had the police out here, but maybe a couple times they had pulled somebody over off the street and gave them a ticket and they pulled here in the driveway," said Cecil Sides.
This is the city's 15th homicide of the year. Before this year, the record for homicides in one year in Springfield was 12. The annual average is six.
