A 23-year-old man wanted in connection with a double homicide in Arizona was fatally shot by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper after authorities said he opened fire during an attempted arrest in rural Missouri.
The confrontation happened on June 17, 2025, near Sweet Springs in Saline County, Missouri, after Concordia police attempted to stop a motorcycle being ridden by the suspect, later identified as Francis Alcantar-Chavez of Tempe, Arizona.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and subsequent news reports, the pursuit eventually ended when the motorcycle crashed into a patrol vehicle. Alcantar-Chavez then allegedly fled on foot before exchanging gunfire with a trooper.
The trooper was struck in the chest area, but his bullet-resistant vest stopped the round, according to authorities. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital before being released.
Who Was Francis Alcantar-Chavez?
Authorities identified the person killed in the Missouri shooting as Francis Alcantar-Chavez, 23, of Tempe, Arizona.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Alcantar-Chavez was wanted in connection with a double homicide in Taylor, Arizona, that occurred two days before the Missouri confrontation.
Arizona authorities had identified him as a person of interest in the deaths of 53-year-old Cynthia Templeton and 62-year-old Troy Templeton. News reports stated that Templeton and Alcantar-Chavez were related.
The Missouri incident occurred as authorities were attempting to locate him after the Arizona investigation.
Police Attempted to Stop the Motorcycle
The incident began shortly after 6 p.m. on June 17, when the Concordia Police Department was pursuing a motorcycle believed to be connected to a suspect wanted in an out-of-state homicide.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, officers eventually lost sight of the motorcycle near 120th Road, south of Interstate 70, in rural Saline County.
Additional law-enforcement officers then searched the surrounding area for the suspect.
Later that evening, troopers spotted a motorcycle and rider matching the suspect’s description traveling west on 115th Road toward Belmont Avenue, near Sweet Springs.
Motorcycle Crashes Into Patrol Vehicle
The attempted stop quickly escalated.
Authorities said the motorcycle crashed into a Missouri State Highway Patrol vehicle near the intersection of 115th Road and Belmont Avenue.
Following the crash, the suspect allegedly left the motorcycle and ran from the area.
A trooper pursued him on foot.
According to the highway patrol, the suspect was armed with a handgun and allegedly fired at the pursuing trooper.
Trooper Hit by Gunfire
During the confrontation, one of the rounds reportedly struck the trooper in the upper chest area.
However, the trooper was wearing a ballistic vest, which stopped the bullet.
The officer suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol later confirmed that the trooper was released from the hospital.
Later footage and reporting about the incident showed the importance of the trooper’s protective equipment during the shooting. A 2026 report said the ballistic vest stopped the round and that the trooper had recovered and returned to duty.
Trooper Returns Fire
After allegedly being fired upon, the trooper returned fire.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the officer’s gunfire struck Alcantar-Chavez.
The 23-year-old suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the confrontation ended there, and the trooper was subsequently taken for medical treatment.
Suspect Was Wanted in Arizona Double Homicide
The Missouri shooting was connected to an investigation that began hundreds of miles away in Arizona.
According to reports, authorities in Taylor, Arizona, were investigating the deaths of Cynthia Templeton, 53, and Troy Templeton, 62.
The two victims were found dead inside a residence on June 15, 2025, after police responded to a welfare check.
Arizona authorities subsequently issued a nationwide alert for Alcantar-Chavez, who was sought in connection with the case.
Authorities in Missouri later encountered him while searching for the motorcycle.
Investigation Into the Police Shooting
Following the fatal shooting, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control investigated the officer-involved shooting.
The case was expected to be reviewed by the Saline County prosecutor after the investigation was completed.
Officer-involved shootings are generally subject to separate investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the use of force.
A Close Call for the Trooper
The incident could have ended much differently for the Missouri trooper.
Authorities said the bullet struck the officer’s ballistic vest rather than penetrating his body.
The trooper was hospitalized with minor injuries and later released.
A later report published after the release of dashboard and body-camera footage said the officer eventually fully recovered and returned to duty.
What We Know About the Case
Here are the key details:
- Suspect:Â Francis Alcantar-Chavez
- Age:Â 23
- Hometown:Â Tempe, Arizona
- Incident date:Â June 17, 2025
- Location:Â Near Sweet Springs, Saline County, Missouri
- Agency involved:Â Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Initial agency:Â Concordia Police Department
- Suspect’s vehicle:Â Motorcycle
- Suspect status:Â Fatally shot by a trooper
- Trooper injury:Â Bullet struck ballistic vest
- Trooper condition:Â Minor injuries; hospitalized and released
- Underlying case:Â Double homicide in Taylor, Arizona
- Investigation:Â Conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Francis Alcantar-Chavez?
Francis Alcantar-Chavez was a 23-year-old man from Tempe, Arizona, who was wanted in connection with a double homicide in Taylor, Arizona. He was fatally shot by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper during an attempted arrest near Sweet Springs, Missouri.
When did the Missouri police shooting happen?
The shooting happened on June 17, 2025, in rural Saline County near Sweet Springs, Missouri.
Why were police looking for Alcantar-Chavez?
According to authorities, he was wanted in connection with a double homicide in Taylor, Arizona, that occurred on June 15, 2025.
How did the confrontation begin?
Concordia police were pursuing a motorcycle believed to be operated by Alcantar-Chavez. After officers lost sight of the motorcycle, Missouri troopers later located it near Sweet Springs.
Was the trooper injured?
Yes. Authorities said the trooper was struck by a bullet in his ballistic vest. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital before being released. Later reporting said he recovered and returned to duty.
Did police shoot the suspect?
Yes. Authorities said the suspect fired at the trooper, who returned fire and fatally struck Alcantar-Chavez.
Where did the shooting take place?
The confrontation occurred near 115th Road and Belmont Avenue outside Sweet Springs in Saline County, Missouri.
Final Takeaway
The June 17, 2025, incident near Sweet Springs began as an attempt to locate and stop a motorcycle rider wanted in connection with a serious homicide investigation in Arizona.
According to Missouri authorities, the situation escalated after the motorcycle crashed into a patrol vehicle and the suspect allegedly fled on foot and opened fire on a pursuing trooper.
The trooper returned fire, killing 23-year-old Francis Alcantar-Chavez at the scene.
The officer was struck by a bullet, but his ballistic vest prevented the round from penetrating his body. He was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital, with later reporting stating that he eventually returned to duty.
The case highlights how an interstate homicide investigation ultimately led to a deadly confrontation between a wanted suspect and law enforcement in rural Missouri.