(From the Joplin Police Department)Joplin Police have taken a step forward in solving a 2022 homicide investigation.
On May 16th, 2022, Joplin Police, Fire, and M.E.T.S. Ambulance responded to the 500 block of Connor Avenue in reference to a gunshots call. When officers arrived, they located two males with apparent gunshot wounds.
One male identified as Kristopher Culbertson, 23 at the time of the incident, was transported to a local hospital and later recovered from his wounds.
A second male, identified as Kenneth Jay Matthews, of Webb City, Missouri, who was 47 at the time of the incident, was pronounced deceased at the scene from gunshot wounds. This incident initiated a homicide investigation.
Initial information at the time of the incident was very limited, however, Joplin Police Detectives began following up on leads which identified an unknown named occupant of a black Ford Taurus as the suspect who had shot Matthews and Culbertson.
Initial information at the time of the incident was very limited, however, Joplin Police Detectives began following up on leads which identified an unknown named occupant of a black Ford Taurus as the suspect who had shot Matthews and Culbertson.
Since the investigation started, the department has received several helpful tips from the public. Over the course of a four-year investigation, Joplin Detectives have relentlessly followed up on additional leads and interviewed numerous people about the homicide.
As a result of the continued investigation, a suspect was identified in the fatal shooting of Matthews.
On August 4th, 2026, charges were submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration.
On August 5th, 2026, the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed warrants for Christopher Erin Mullen, 43, of Kansas City. The charges included no bond warrants for 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Assault.
On August 6th, while in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections, the above warrants were served on Mullen and he was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
This is still an open active investigation. Anyone with any information is still encouraged to contact Sgt. Andy Blair at 417-623-3131 extension 1602.
On August 6th, while in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections, the above warrants were served on Mullen and he was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
This is still an open active investigation. Anyone with any information is still encouraged to contact Sgt. Andy Blair at 417-623-3131 extension 1602.
1 comment:
Is this another methed up situation?
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