KENNETT, Mo. – Two Charleston men are facing charges from the February shooting in Kennett that left one dead and four others injured.
According to Dunklin County Prosecutor Nicholas Jain, both Tyrese Tate, 20, and Darrion Carter, 26, were charged with murder in the second degree, armed criminal action, and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon on Friday. Carter faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Carter was arrested Monday in Charleston and was arraigned Tuesday in Kennett. Tate was arrested Tuesday, also in Charleston, and will be arraigned Thursday.
The charges stem from an incident Feb. 21 when the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a shooting during a large party at the American Legion Building in Kennett. Once on scene, troopers located Jawon Betts inside. Betts had been shot and later died of his injuries. Four other victims were also shot during the incident.
Witnesses told investigators that Tate and Carter began shooting during a fight. Tate admitted to witnesses that he shot Betts who died, and Carter admitted he shot another one of the victims. Three of the victims were bystanders.
Warrants were issued for Tate and Carter’s arrest ordering them to be detained without bond by the Circuit Court Judge John Spielman. This investigation is being conducted by the Dunklin County Major Case Squad, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Kennett Police Department, and the Malden Police Department.
Jain cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint and probable cause statement are merely allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.