In the early hours of a Wednesday morning in Joplin, Missouri, the life of 20-year-old William L. Patton was tragically cut short. On March 16, 2022, Joplin police responded to a report of gunshots near 24th and Wall Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found Patton with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The Joplin Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into the shooting death of the young
man, who was a resident of Joplin but had strong ties to the Pittsburg, Kansas, area where he had spent much of his life. As of the latest available information, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or announced any arrests in connection with the case. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding William Patton's death is ongoing.
