Springfield police arrest suspect in first homicide of 2025, man killed near Club Rodeo

Springfield: A tragic start to 2025 as a 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with the city’s first homicide. David Franklin, just 23, was found shot in a parking lot near Club Rodeo.

The police took Marquese Gaten, also 22, into custody on January 1. He was booked into Greene County Jail later that day and is currently being held without bond. Gaten was set to appear in court on Wednesday.

He faces several charges, including suspicion of stealing a firearm and tampering with evidence. The police are still looking into the case and have sent it to the prosecutor for review.

Officers responded to the scene around 2:10 a.m. on Wednesday. They found Franklin with a gunshot wound in a parking lot that serves the U.S. Post Office’s Griesmer Annex. Sadly, he died from his injuries, and his family has been notified.

The police quickly identified a suspect and took him in for questioning. They’re urging anyone with information to reach out to them at 417-864-1810 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.