Police searching for two in Sunday's fatal shooting

William Henry Applewhite, left, and Gailon Lamarous Applewhite,

SIKESTON - Police are seeking the public's help in locating two Sikeston men wanted in a fatal shooting.

William Henry Applewhite III, 27, and Gailon Lamarous Applewhite, 29, are charged in the Sunday evening shooting death of Christopher Qurvon West. Both were charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action by the Scott County Prosecutor's office after Sikeston DPS investigators applied for warrants in connection to the homicide.

The charges stem from an in incident which began about 5:40 p.m. Sunday when police were called to North Main near College Street after a subject reported West was shot.

West, 31, had a single gunshot wound to the head. It is believed he died immediately upon being shot, according to Capt. Jim McMillen, DPS public information officer.

Police began their investigation at the scene and activated the SEMO Major Case Squad.

According to McMillen, during the investigation officers learned that West had a physical altercation with Gailon L. Applewhite around 3 p.m. Sunday at Westside Liquor at 889 W. Malone.

The altercation "stemmed from an ongoing feud between the two men,"McMillen said in a news release. "Less than two hours later, Christopher West was shot to death in his vehicle on N. Main."

A witness of the shooting identified William Henry Applewhite and Gailon Applewhite as two of the three people in the suspect vehicle where the shots came from.

"It appears that suspects may have been searching for West to retaliate for the previous assault," McMillen said.

According to law enforcement, the two men are to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information on their whereabouts that leads to their arrest is eligible for a cash reward.

Tips can remain anonymous and be sent to 573-471-4711 or the crimestoppers hotline at 573-471-1500.