In the small community of Phillipsburg, Missouri, the life of 27-year-old David John Arbogast III was tragically cut short on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A young man remembered for his kind and generous soul, David was found dead with apparent gunshot wounds in the 10000 block of Birch Road, a devastating event that shook his family and the local community.
Emergency services were alerted to the shooting at 2:50 p.m. when a 911 call was made to central dispatch. Upon their arrival, deputies from the Laclede County Sheriff's Office discovered David's body. The news of his violent death was a profound shock to his loved ones, who described him as having a zest for life and a passion for helping others. He was known for his love of music, playing pool, and being outdoors.
The Laclede County Sheriff's Office immediately launched a homicide investigation, processing the scene and conducting numerous interviews to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Their efforts soon led to a significant breakthrough in the case.
Two men, 21-year-old Aston Beyer and 23-year-old Malakai Salyers, were arrested in connection with David Arbogast's death. The Laclede County Prosecutor's Office subsequently charged both individuals with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Following their arrest, Beyer and Salyers were held in the Laclede County Jail without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings.
