Late Thursday night, January 15, 2026, Springfield Police Department responded to a shooting near the intersection of South Kimbrough Avenue and East Elm Street, located adjacent to the Missouri State University campus. One individual was fatally injured, and a suspect was taken into custody at the scene.

University Safety was immediately aware of the incident and closely monitored the situation in coordination with local law enforcement. Based on confirmed information from Springfield Police, the incident was isolated, and there was no active threat to the Missouri State University campus. Springfield Police have confirmed that neither the victim nor the suspect are affiliated with Missouri State University.

Campus Safety personnel remained vigilant throughout the response and continued monitoring until the scene was secured and the situation stabilized. The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remains our top priority, and University Safety will continue to work closely with our public safety partners to keep the campus community informed and safe.

We encourage anyone with safety concerns to contact University Safety at any time at 417-836-5509.

Reported fondling

On the evening of August 21, 2018, a Missouri State University student reported an incident to the Missouri State University Department of Safety and Transportation that she said occurred on the morning of August 20, 2018. The student reported that they were walking in the alleyway on the east side of Kimbrough between the 600 and 700 block of Kimbrough Avenue. A silver sedan driven by a male approached the student at a high rate of speed, slapped the student’s buttocks, and continued onto Kimbrough. There is no further description of the suspect. This incident is being investigated by the Springfield Police Department.

Additional resources

Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. Below are some safety suggestions for all members of our community to consider that could prevent harm:

• Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, call 911 or the MSU Substation at 417-836-5509 for assistance.
• Be active in supporting a safe and respectful community. If you see others engaging in disrespectful or inappropriate actions, speak up and get involved, or contact someone else to assist.

At Missouri State University we are committed to a safe environment for all students. To learn more about Missouri State University’s Sexual Assault resources visit:

• Title IX Resources
• Green Dot

If you have information concerning this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810 or 9-1-1 for immediate assistance. If you want to remain anonymous, you may report information to Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-TIPS (8477) or www.P3tips.com.