Second person sought in St. Louis hotel murder case

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Local authorities are asking the public for help in their search for a Poplar Bluff man wanted for questioning in connection with the recent killing of a St. Louis Drury Inn manager.

Quinton J. Williams, 30, whose last known address was in the 1000 block of Franklin Street, has been identified as a person of interest in the death of Scott Knopfel, said Poplar Bluff Deputy Chief Jeff Rolland.

Knopfel, whose brother, Mark, was a sports writer for the Daily American Republic in the early 1990s and now lives in St. Louis, was slain late last week at a Drury Inn & Suites he managed near Interstate 44.

Police say he was shot in the head as he struggled with his assailant over opening a cash drawer.

Authorities believe the assailant was Joseph Bernard Bowens, 43, of the 600 block of Lindsay Lane.

Bowens was detained on a stop-and-hold at 5:41 p.m. Saturday on North Main Street between Fifth and Relief streets.

Bowens since has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in relation to Knopfel's death.

"As the investigation unfolded, evidence and information has been brought forward to indicate that Quinton J. Williams is an accomplice in the murder of Mr. Knopfel," Rolland said.

Local officers, Rolland said, have worked with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Caruthersville, Missouri, police chief Tony Jones, Arkansas State Police and the Blytheville, Arkansas, Police Department in searching for Williams.

"At this point in the investigation, we believe Mr. Quinton J. Williams is hiding out between Poplar Bluff, Caruthersville and Blytheville areas," Rolland said. "Anyone that assists Quinton J. Williams in absconding from law enforcement could face possible charges themselves."

Rolland said Williams should be considered "armed and very dangerous."

Anyone with information about Williams' whereabouts is asked to call Poplar Bluff police at 573-785-5776, Caruthersville police at 573-333-2121 or St. Louis Metropolitan detectives Mike Herberg or Keith Paulitsch at 314-444-5957.