Man killed near Sweet Springs was wanted in Arizona double-homicide, police say

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified a man killed after exchanging gunfire with state troopers Tuesday near Sweet Springs in rural Saline County.

Francis Alcantar-Chavez, 23, was fatally shot by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Tuesday after he fired toward troopers, according to a post by the highway patrol on social media.

Around 6 p.m. Tuesday, state troopers were notified that Concordia police were was pursuing a motorcycle being driven by Alcantar-Chavez, according to a press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Officers lost sight of the motorcycle near 120th Road in Saline County, according to the post. Around 8 p.m., troopers observed the motorcycle near 115th Road and Belmont Avenue.

Near the intersection, Alcantar-Chavez crashed into a highway patrol vehicle before fleeing on foot, according to the press release. A trooper chased after him, and Alcantar-Chavez fired at the trooper.

The trooper, who was struck in his bullet resistant vest, returned fire, striking Alcantar-Chavez twice. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alcantar-Chavez was wanted in connection with a June 15 double homicide in Taylor, Arizona, according to a Facebook video from the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department.

At 7 p.m. on June 15, Snowflake-Taylor police officers were dispatched to a welfare check at a residence in Taylor, according to a post from the police department.

There, officers found an open door at the residence, according to the post. Two individuals, 62-year-old Troy Templeton and 53-year-old Cynthia Templeton, were found dead inside with apparent gunshot wounds.

Cynthia was Alcantar-Chavez’s mother, according to the Facebook video.

The Snowflake-Taylor Police Department put a nationwide “stop and hold” on Alcantar-Chavez and his vehicle, leading to the altercation near Sweet Springs, according to the Facebook video.

The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting.