Three Men Charged After Two Fatal Shootings and a Pursuit Into St. Louis
Jefferson County authorities announced charges in three separate cases stemming from incidents Thursday and Friday.
By The Jefferson Review
A busy weekend for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began Thursday morning with a fatal shooting south of Festus. Deputies responded to a second deadly shooting in High Ridge that night, then pursued a vehicle into St. Louis on Friday after a woman reported that a man had broken into her home and fired at her. By Sunday, Sheriff Dave Marshak had announced charges in all three cases.
Thursday morning, Nov. 5 | Woman fatally shot south of Festus
A deputy was dispatched at 9 a.m. to check on a resident at a home in the 3100 block of U.S. Highway 61. The Sheriff’s Office said the deputy entered after receiving information about a possible shooting and found 56-year-old Dawn M. Capstick of Festus at 9:15 a.m. with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. The deputy began lifesaving efforts and continued until emergency medical crews arrived.
A 911 caller told authorities the suspected shooter had driven away. At 9:26 a.m., a Sheriff’s Office analyst used the Flock Safety camera network to spot the vehicle traveling south on Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve County. The Sheriff’s Office alerted surrounding agencies and contacted the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities took Todd M. Capstick into custody during a traffic stop in Cape Girardeau County about 45 minutes after the deputy found his wife.
Capstick, 55, of Festus, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in his wife’s death. Jefferson County detectives brought him back from Cape Girardeau County, and the Sheriff’s Office said he was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail.
Thursday night, Nov. 5 | One killed, one wounded in High Ridge
Deputies responded to a business in the 2800 block of High Ridge Boulevard around 8:30 p.m. and found two men with apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies began lifesaving efforts, and emergency crews took both men to area hospitals. Joseph Schertler, 26, of Cedar Hill, later died.
Investigators say Robert M. Kalbach, 21, of Dittmer, drove to the business and encountered a group that included both men. Witnesses reported an altercation during which members of the group threw eggs at Kalbach’s vehicle. Investigators allege Kalbach fired several shots from inside the vehicle, striking both men before driving away. Authorities later took him into custody without incident.
On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office announced that Kalbach had been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action. He was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail.
Friday night, Nov. 6 | Reported break-in leads to pursuit into St. Louis
Investigators allege Denzell M. Reed, 36, of St. Louis, entered a home in the 400 block of Thoreau Trail without permission and threatened a woman with a handgun. She told investigators Reed fired at her as she retreated to a bathroom where another person was already inside. Both escaped injury.
The Sheriff’s Office said Reed then allegedly stole the woman’s vehicle. A deputy spotted it and gave chase. Reed abandoned the vehicle in St. Louis and ran. Investigators allege he fired at deputies who followed him on foot, and a deputy returned fire. Reed and the deputies were uninjured.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police, St. Louis County Police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol took Reed into custody. On Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office announced charges of first-degree assault, first-degree domestic assault, first-degree burglary, motor vehicle theft and three counts of armed criminal action. Reed was being held at the St. Louis City Justice Center, according to the release.
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