Major Case Squad deactivated in double homicide

The Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad has concluded its investigation into a double homicide that occurred last Sunday.

Zatrun R. Twiggs, 28, and Detavian L. Richardson, 20, were shot to death in a car early Monday morning, police reported.

Major Case Squad bylaws state it cannot remain on a case longer than 72 hours unless extenuating circumstances warrant an extension, according to a news release the squad sent Friday afternoon, announcing its deactivation.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will continue the investigation, following up on leads the Major Case Squad generated, said Darin Hickey, public information officer for the department.

Hickey said the department can request the squad be reactivated if it is inundated with new information.

"We have the Major Case Squad to help us ... to follow up on leads, witnesses, evidence, because there is such an influx" in the immediate aftermath of a homicide, Hickey said.

"Those first few days right after a homicide are very, very important," he said.

The Major Case Squad's involvement allows investigators to process a large quantity of information in a short span of time, increasing the likelihood of a break in the case, Hickey said.

The squad's investigation turned up "multiple persons of interest," the release stated.

Hickey said Cape Girardeau police will follow up on those leads.

He said investigators are waiting to get evidence back from the state crime lab.

Richardson and Twiggs became the third and fourth people shot to death this year in Cape Girardeau.

Joshua Dibert, 34, was found shot to death June 20 in the driver's seat of a vehicle parked near the intersection of Henderson Avenue and Good Hope Street.

Eight days later, Anthony Hempstead, 26, was found shot to death in an alley in the 800 block of Jefferson Avenue.

All four homicides happened within less than a mile of each other, prompting calls by residents and neighborhood leaders for a community-wide effort to end the violence.

The area has been the target of regular patrols by the Southeast Missouri Violent Crimes Task Force, which formed earlier this year as part of a joint effort by police from Cape Girardeau, Charleston, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, Missouri, to reduce gun violence in the region.

Anyone with information about any of the recent shootings is asked to call Cape Girardeau police at 335-6621.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO