Springfield homicide suspect charged, held without bond

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) -A man has been charged following the deadly shooting of a 22-year-old man in south Springfield Sunday morning.

Court records state Christian Blackwell, 24, of Springfield, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action in this case.

According to the probable cause statement, on Sept. 20, at 2:20 a.m., officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots being heard in the 200 Block of E. Montclair St. The victim was not breathing and had a gunshot wound to the head. A witness said they heard gunshots and saw a man get into a red Ford Mustang and leave.

Once on scene, police found Codey Martinez, 22, dead from a gunshot wound. A witness, identified as Martinez’s girlfriend, said Martinez had gone outside his apartment to smoke with a person named “Lad” who lived one stairwell next to them in the complex. Martinez asked his girlfriend, “Do you think he is gonna lace me?” referring to the noted person. Martinez’s girlfriend did not know the person’s full name. She went outside to see what happened and saw Martinez on the ground. She said she believed the person Martinez was referring to drove the Mustang.

Several 9mm shell casings were found nearby in the parking lot as well as projectiles in the apartment building near where Martinez was found. Investigators said no weapons were located on or near Martinez.

At 2:25 a.m., Blackwell arrived at his parents’ home. A witness said Blackwell was frantic and asked for the keys to another family member’s silver Jeep. Blackwell was given the keys and left. Investigators said Blackwell had arrived at the home in the red Mustang.

A search warrant was obtained for Blackwell’s apartment. Investigators said they found an AK-47-style rifle and a large amount of ammo.

Later in the morning of Sept. 20, Blackwell was found in the area of Tecumseh, Mo., by Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers. Police said Blackwell was found on foot, and the Jeep was found wrecked into a tree a distance away from his mother’s home. Blackwell was placed under arrest, and a 9mm firearm was found on him.

In an interview with officers at Springfield Police headquarters, Blackwell said he was “seeing demons and shot the demon six times” in the area of the apartment. Blackwell admitted to frequently smoking “THCA,” which caused him to see demons, according to the probable cause statement. Blackwell also said he owned the 9mm that law enforcement found on him. Based on the probable cause statement, investigators said Blackwell then shot and killed the victim, believing he was a demon.

Blackwell is being held in the Greene County Jail without bond.

Detectives continue investigating and ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Springfield PD at 417-864-1810, send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477), or submit one online at p3tips.com.

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