Coroner's inquest reveals identity of Feb. 14 shooter

Updated 6 p.m.

A coroner's inquest just began at the Cape Girardeau Common Pleas Courthouse into the shooting death of Zachary Snyder, 23, who was killed Feb. 14 at a Themis Street apartment complex.

The inquest marks the first time the name of the shooter, Steven R. Julian, has been released in a public setting. Julian, an investigator with the Missouri Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole, was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Snyder for parole violation when he fatally shot Snyder.

Julian has been placed on administrative leave by the Department of Corrections.

Details of how the shooting happened will come out in tonight's inquest through the findings of Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton and testimony of Julian, eyewitnesses and Snyder's mother.

Over 50 people, plus law enforcement officials and the coroner's jury are on hand to witness the inquest. The six-member jury has been given a five-page set of instructions directing their deliberations. "Your duty is to hear evidence and determine whether Zachary Charles Snyder died by felony or by justifiable homicide," the instructions state.

About a dozen law enforcement officers were on hand to provide security.

Look for updates later at www.semissourian.com or read Wednesday's print edition of the Southeast Missourian.