Identity of man killed in officer-involved shooting released

By JONATHON DAWE

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The identity of the suspect who was shot Wednesday, June 26 by law enforcement during the service of a warrant has been released.

According to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers, Paul Wilhite, 61, of Brinkley, Arkansas, was being sought by law enforcement for two felony warrants. Wilhite was pronounced dead at 1:42 p.m. at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center by an emergency room doctor. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday morning, and the Butler County Coroner’s office is investigating.

Federal agents with the U.S. Marshal Service were attempting to serve the warrant, officials have said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating and the U.S. Marshal’s Service cannot comment during the investigation, a representative said Thursday. 

Also assisting at the time of the incident were local police officers, as well as officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. According to Sgt. Clark Parrott with the MSHP, members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control also responded.

The incident occurred at Camelot RV Park along Highway 67, which is near Troop E headquarters.