Major Case Squad disbands over homicide probe; police interview person of interest

The Cape Girardeau County/Bollinger County Major Case Squad disbanded after the standard 72-hour activation period lapsed Sunday, according to a news release.

Investigators interviewed a person of interest, Deatryus G’Tavis Curry, 17, of Cape Girardeau, in the homicide investigation of Willie Brown Jr., 31, of Cape Girardeau, according to Cape Girardeau Police Department social media.

Brown was shot several times about 9:20 p.m. Sept. 7 in the 300 block of South Hanover Street, and he died of his injuries about 3:30 a.m. the next day at Saint Francis Medical Center.

There have been three other shooting homicides in Cape Girardeau in 2016, and police have made at least one arrest in each case. Airious Darling, 28, of Cape Girardeau was shot in the head about 9 p.m. March 17 on the porch of a home at 612 Locust St.

The major Case squad announced March 22 it had arrested Tavious L. Tipler, 18, of Cape Girardeau; he was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and felony child endangerment.

Andrel Dolpin, 17, of Cape Girardeau was shot in the chest about 9:30 p.m. May 19 as a part of an altercation at 235 N. Lorimier St. He later died of his injuries at a Cape Girardeau hospital.

The Major Case Squad announced Jonas M. Phillips, 27, of Charleston, Missouri, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and first-degree assault.

Domorlo McCaster, 28, of Cape Girardeau was shot in the back of the head early May 14 while seated in the front passenger seat of an SUV parked at a house on Fort Street. McCaster’s body was dumped in a wooded area near Ranney Park and found five days later.

Cape Girardeau police on May 27 arrested Malcolm U. Harris, 24, of Cape Girardeau; he since has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with physical evidence. Investigators interviewed five persons of interest in the McCaster homicide.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 300 block of South Hanover Street, Cape Girardeau, MO