Clinton, Mo., man accused of tampering with rifle used in death of police officer

Henry County, Mo., prosecutors have charged a 35-year-old Clinton man with tampering with physical evidence for allegedly tossing a rifle used in the shooting death of a Clinton police officer into a body of water.

The tampering charge filed Thursday alleges William Grant Noble threw the rifle used in the death of Officer Gary Michael into a creek about 2 miles north of Clinton. The rifle was located earlier Thursday.

Prosecutors say Noble knew the rifle had been used in the shooting, and he intentionally tried to conceal it from investigators. He faces up to four years in jail if convicted, prosecutors said.

Noble was being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

Michael was fatally shot Sunday night by a driver he pulled over for a traffic stop. After a two-day manhunt, suspect Ian James McCarthy of Clinton was arrested.

McCarthy, 39, has been charged with murder. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

The investigation continues and could result in more charges, authorities said.

Visitation for Michael is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, 314 West Jefferson St. in Clinton.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Benson Convention Center, 1008 E. Sedalia Ave. in Clinton.

A public viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton.

Memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

This story was originally published August 10, 2017 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Clinton, Mo., man accused of tampering with rifle used in death of police officer."