On the evening of December 21, 2021, two people were found fatally shot inside a Main Street home in Fort Scott, Kansas. Victims were 53-year-old Leonard D. Zimmerman and 48-year-old Melissa L. Mitchell. A family member who went to the residence discovered Ms. Mitchell and called emergency services.

Investigation attention soon centered on 23-year-old Dawson J. Mitchell, identified as Melissa Mitchell’s son. He was taken into custody in Fort Scott on December 22, 2021; his initial arrest included charges of theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful possession of controlled substances. In early January 2022 he was formally charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Zimmerman and Mitchell.

Few details about motive or a timeline inside the home have been released. If anyone knew either victim, or has information about what happened at the Main Street residence that night, please come forward.