Springfield’s first homicide of 2024 occurred the evening of January 20, when 34-year-old Dustin Laine Pruitt was shot inside a home at 930 N. Rogers Avenue. Police arrived after a report of a shooting at about 8:59 p.m. and found Pruitt suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics transported him to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries; he later died there.

Pruitt was a lifelong Springfield resident and was reportedly weeks away from the birth of his son, Dustin Pruitt Jr. Detectives identified and questioned an individual at the scene, but no arrest was made immediately. The Springfield Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing and that the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case to decide whether charges should be filed. Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward.

If anyone knew Dustin or has information about what happened at 930 N. Rogers Avenue that night, please share what you know with investigators.