A late-afternoon dispute in Freeman, Missouri, ended in a double homicide on August 16, 2024. Deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded about 1 p.m. to an apartment near Main and Washington streets and found 27-year-old Brian Spear and his 47-year-old father, Michael Spear, with gunshot wounds. One man was dead at the scene; Brian Spear was taken to Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville and later died there.

Court records say 43-year-old Misty M. Stufflebean of Harrisonville had gone to the apartment with Michael and Brian to look for a woman reportedly involved with one of the Spear men. Accounts differ: Stufflebean told investigators she and the men were fired upon as they were returning to their vehicle after being denied entry, while occupants of the apartment said Stufflebean forced her way inside, triggering the confrontation. Another man was questioned and released. Stufflebean was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault and is being held without bond as the sheriff’s office continues its investigation.

Does anyone have information about who was inside the apartment that afternoon or about the events leading up to the shooting?