Charges filed against Cape man for role in shootings

Charges have been filed against a Cape Girardeau man after his disappearance Nov. 16 as a witness in October shootings involving five men.

Xavier J. Norwood, 19, also known as Robert Norwood, is being sought for his participation in two of the incidents.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Tuesday Norwood's initial willingness to appear as a witness in the shootings could have affected the charges against him for his role in the shootings.

But after his disappearance, which caused a forced dismissal of the charges against the suspects, Swingle said he decided to request a warrant for Norwood's arrest Tuesday for two counts of felony unlawful use of a weapon. According to the probable-cause statement, Norwood is accused of firing several rounds from a handgun while standing at the corner of Good Hope and South Hanover streets Oct. 17, and he admitted to police that on Oct. 18, he had fired several rounds from a handgun from a vehicle stopped in front of a residence on Mimosa Drive.

The latter incident reportedly involved three other men getting out of a car about 12:36 a.m., and two of them shooting toward a residence, the statement said.

Swingle is undisturbed about Norwood's absence and indicates he may be out of the state.

"There's a 90 percent chance he will be found," he said. "It's so hard in this age to disappear off the face of the earth."

If convicted on both charges, Norwood faces a maximum 30-year prison sentence.

When Norwood is located, Swingle said he will refile charges against the individuals suspected in the shootings. He has three years to do so before the statute of limitations expires.

Norwood is already wanted on a warrant for parole violation in relation to a 2004 drug trafficking conviction for which he served prison time, Swingle said.

Guns fired at homes, car

Marquies C. Boyd, 22, Kieven S. Cole Jr., 21, and Robert D. Rodriguez, 21, were co-defendants in the October shooting incidents. They and two other men, Pervis J. Boyd, 24, and Terrvell S. Williams, 21, were accused of shooting at two homes and a car. Norwood could place all the suspects at the shooting scenes, according to police affidavits filed with the charges.

Norwood told police he was riding in a Chevrolet Suburban on Good Hope Street on Oct. 17 when Marquies Boyd and Pervis Boyd approached in a black Ford pickup and Pervis Boyd opened fire with a handgun. In another incident, Norwood told police he accompanied Cole and Williams on Oct. 18 when they drove to a home at 3125 Mimosa Drive, where Cole and Williams fired shots at the home in an attempt to assault Zatron Twiggs.

The suspected gunmen are also believed to be responsible for firing 30 to 40 rounds at a home at 313 N. Fountain St. and at least one other incident of gunfire at 1201 Ranney Ave., both of which occurred Oct. 19.

Police believe the gunplay was prompted by a feud between two rival groups.

Marquies Boyd was the only defendant who had no other charges pending and was released. Cole was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest for his actions when officers took him into custody Oct. 22.

Rodriguez was on probation for selling drugs in 2005, and Swingle obtained an arrest warrant Nov. 16 for a probation violation.

The Boyds listed an address of 424 S. Hanover St., while Rodriguez was listed as residing at 324 S. Hanover St. and Williams was last known to live at 504 S. Hanover St. Cole is the only one of the five who lived at a home targeted by shooters, 313 N. Fountain St.

cschmidlkofer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127