Detectives in Springfield are working to locate a suspect in a shooting overnight that left one man dead and another man wounded.
- 2 men shot, one fatally, in 500 block of South Clairmont Avenue
- Jeffery Rife, 36, was killed and Ronald McElroy, 43, wounded
- No suspects named and no arrests announced
Springfield’s first homicide of the year occurred early Saturday when two Springfield men were shot, one fatally, in the 500 block of South Clairmont Avenue. Crews were dispatched around 3:40 a.m. to the double shooting.
UPDATE @ 7:50 p.m.
Jeffery Rife, 36, and Ronald McElroy, 43, both of Springfield, were taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center. Rife succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
McElroy suffered one or more gunshot wounds, but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
>>MORE: Springfield’s first homicide underscores increased gun violence
UPDATE @ 7:30 p.m.
Residents in the normally quiet neighborhood were awakened by the gunfire.
"I heard a loud noise, wasn't really sure what it was, heard it again and then recognized it as gunshots. ... There were several, at least eight that we had initially heard," said Carlisa Parker, a longtime resident.
Police told nearby residents the shooting was believed to be an isolated incident, but many said they were left in fear and are concerned for the safety of police officers and others in the community.
"It's very shocking and it's very scary and it's extremely unusual for something like that to happen in this neighborhood," Parker said. "We've been here for 22 years and nothing like this has ever occurred here."
UPDATE @ 8:29 a.m.
Springfield police have left the scene of a Saturday morning shooting on South Clairmont Avenue.
Dispatchers said police are in the process of combining notes to craft a report.
No additional information is available at this time.
UPDATE @ 6:26 a.m.
One person is dead following a Saturday morning shooting in Springfield, according to dispatchers.
Dispatchers said two people were shot following a report of shots fired in the 500 block of South Clairmont Avenue.
The second victim was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center in an unknown condition.
Springfield police continue their search for a suspect while detectives and a crime scene unit remain in the area, dispatchers said.
South Clairmont and Windsor avenues remain closed at their intersection for the investigation.
UPDATE @ 5:27 a.m.
Springfield police have placed crime scene tape around the intersection of South Clairmont and Windsor avenues as they continue to investigate a shooting.
Scanner traffic indicates police are collecting evidence near the intersection and at a home in the 2200 block of Windsor Avenue.
Two people were reportedly shot in the area following a report of shots fired around 3:40 a.m.
INITIAL REPORT (March 18)
Springfield police and medics are responding to a reported shooting in the city Saturday morning.
Crews were sent to the 500 block of South Clairmont Avenue around 3:40 a.m. on a report of shots fired.
Initial reports indicate at these two people may have been shot in the area of South Clairmont and Windsor avenues.
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