Springfield Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting

~ On the afternoon of February 1, 2023, Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to Tom Watkins Park at 2100 W. High St. in response to a report of a male making suicidal statements. Upon arrival, the officers located the man in the middle of the park and attempted to engage him in conversation.

According to police reports, while speaking with the man, later identified as 33-year-old Justin M. Barker from Springfield, he revealed that he was armed with a handgun and proceeded to draw it from his waistband. Despite repeated commands from the officers to drop the weapon, Barker pointed it towards them.

In response, the officers fired their handguns at Barker, striking him multiple times. They immediately took him into custody and administered life-saving measures while waiting for paramedics to arrive. However, despite their efforts, Barker did not survive.

More on Rezul News

• Robert Michael & Co. Real Estate Team Celebrates Industry Recognition and Showcases Premier Central Florida Listings
• Extreme Exterior Cleaning of Seaside Florida Home Separates Pros from Amateurs
• AI-Based Neurotoxin Countermeasure Initiative Launched to Address Emerging National Security Needs: Renovaro, Inc. (N A S D A Q: RENB)
• The Naturist World Just Shifted — NaturismRE Ignites a Global Resurgence
• San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Among First to Use Passkey Login with Solid Earth's SSO Dashboard

The family of Justin M. Barker has been notified of his death. The four officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Additionally, a criminal investigation is being conducted concurrently and its findings will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office for review.

The Springfield Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into this incident and is asking anyone with additional information to come forward by contacting them at 417-864-1810 or making an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

---

Show All News | Report Violation