Shooting suspect arrested after police encounter at local hotel

Early Monday, Cape Girardeau police arrested three suspects believed to have been involved in a shooting Wednesday in which they allegedly fled from officers at the scene.

Police acted on a tip that the three men were hiding out at the Pear Tree Inn and dispatched the special response team as a precaution, said Sgt. Barry Hovis, spokesman for the police department.

Officers responded to the hotel around 11 p.m. and arrested Terrvell K. Williams for a probation violation.

They then tried to contact Martavis L. Scales, the suspected shooter, and Keiven S. Cole Jr. Cole allegedly drove the vehicle and assisted Scales in evading police after the incident Wednesday.

Phone calls to the room the two men were staying in went unanswered, and officers couldn't get an answer at the door. They eventually used an override key to gain entry, discovered a chain on the door, and threatened to "gas them out," Hovis said.

It took under three hours to make the arrests, Hovis said.

No weapons were found during a search of the hotel room, but police have to assume the suspects may have been armed, considering the nature of the charges against them.

"You have to prepare for the worst," Hovis said.

Police took precautions to secure the area, as the suspects are thought to have been involved in a violent crime.

Warrants were issued last week for Cole and Scales in connection with the Wednesday shooting.

The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. Shots were taken at Cartiez King, but there were no injuries.

Scales was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action and held on $250,000 cash-only bond. Cole faces charges of hindering prosecution, resisting a lawful stop and speeding. Bond for Cole was set at $50,000.

The shooting occurred over an ongoing disagreement between King and Scales, Hovis said.

"This is something that has been festering for a while," he said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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