1 in custody in Kennett homicide

KENNETT, Mo. — One person is dead after a probable shooting in Kennett early Sunday. The suspect later was found in Memphis, Tennessee.

The victim was identified as Francisco Mendez. The suspect, Josue Rivera, 29, was taken into custody by the Memphis Police Department, according to a news release posted on the Kennett Police Department’s Facebook page.

Rivera is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He’s being held without bond.

Police said officers were called to the 300 block of Miss Clara Drive about 1 a.m. Sunday about a report of shots fired.

Officers found Mendez bleeding and unresponsive at the scene, with a large crowd nearby. Mendez was rushed to Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, where he later died.

An investigation led officers to identify Rivera as the suspect. Police said he fled the scene and later was found in Memphis.

The homicide investigation is ongoing. Kennett police officers were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Memphis Police Department.