Two arrested in connection with January murder

SIKESTON -- Two men being sought in connection with the Jan. 11 murder of Christopher West are in custody.

Capt. Jim McMillen, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's public information officer, said in a news release that at 3 p.m. Thursday, officers learned that William Henry and Gailon Appelwhite were hiding in Sikeston.

"They had never left this area as we first believed they had," McMillen said. However, "after 12 hours of follow-up investigation, we were unable to get an exact location."

At approximately 7 p.m. Friday, officers directed their search to Apartment 3 at 911 Davis Blvd.; the building was surrounded and neighboring apartments were cleared of any residents.

At that time, officers called on a loud speaker to the Applewhites to surrender. McMillen reported that after about 45 minutes, William Henry Applewhite surrendered to SWAT officers.

"Gailon Applewhite refused to come out and OC spray was shot into the residence," McMillen said in a news release. "He still refused to come out, so several SWAT officers armed with a search warrant and arrest warrants forced entry into the apartment."

Gailon Applewhite was arrested on the warrant charging him with first-degree murder.

While processing the apartment, McMillen reported officers located some evidence.

Warrants are pending on those who assisted the Applewhites from being arrested following the Jan. 11 shooting, authorities said.