SIKESTON -- A Sikeston man charged in a fatal shooting is now in custody.
According to Capt. Jim McMillan, public information officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Antoine A. Harris-Applewhite, 33, who was charged Sunday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm for the Saturday murder of Samuel L. Sanders III, 35, of Sikeston, turned himself in to the Scott County Sheriff's Department at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday.
He is being held on a $500,000 cash only bond.
About 5 p.m. Saturday, Sikeston DPS Officers were dispatched to 889 West Malone to Westside Liquor in reference to a shooting.
"Information given to officers was that one subject was down," McMillen said. "Officers quickly arrived on scene and found Sanders shot in the chest, lying in the roadway in front of Westside Liquor."
Several bystanders told officers the shooting occurred in the parking lot of Westside liquor, and the victim ran to the roadway as he tried to get away from the gunshots.
The SEMO Major Case Squad was activated and began working the investigation.
Investigators learned Applewhite and Sanders had a physical altercation at Westside Liquor that escalated to the shooting, McMillen said. Evidence of the shooting was found in the parking lot of the liquor store. McMillen said Applewhite's whereabouts are not known and police are seeking help in locating him.
"We are also asking anyone with information or cell phone video of any part of this incident to contact our department," McMillen said "It is rumored that bystanders may have some of this incident recorded as cell phone video. Any of this video could be very helpful in this investigation, and we are asking that those that have video to step forward."
Anyone who has cellphone video can contact Sikeston DPS at 573-471-4711. Applewhite should be considered armed and dangerous, McMillen said.
For this story and more, see theWednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.