Sikeston shooting suspect arrested in Killeen, Texas

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A shooting suspect was tracked to Texas where law enforcement officers took him into custody Tuesday.

Cortne Mantez Beasley, 25, of Sikeston fled Sunday after being involved in a shooting, which left one person injured. Following the incident, Beasley was charged with three counts of first-degree assault and three counts of armed criminal action.

Officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety conducted several interviews with witnesses and developed information that Beasley was en route to a family member's residence in Killeen, Texas.

"Sikeston DPS coordinated efforts with the U.S. Marshall Service in Cape Girardeau, and Texas Department of Public Safety. The U.S. Marshall Service near Killeen, Texas, assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety in intercepting Cortne Beasley as he arrived at the suspected destination in Killeen, Texas," said Lt. Jim McMillen, the Sikeston department's public information officer.

According to McMillen, Beasley was taken into custody without incident about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety reported a physical confrontation began around 6 p.m. Sunday at Roberta Rowe Park near Washington and Alabama streets. During the confrontation, Beasley allegedly fired a gun striking a car several times with the gunfire hitting a 21-year-old Sikeston man in the legs as the car drove away. McMillen said the victim is not believed to have been involved in the fight and is expected to recover from the injuries.

Beasley remains in custody in Texas on a $100,000 cash-only bond and awaiting extradition proceedings.

"We want to thank the agencies involved that assisted with this widespread manhunt," McMillen said. "It is believed Beasley was attempting to flee the area to avoid prosecution. We also want to thank all the media outlets that assisted in disseminating this story. There is little doubt this aided in his capture."