2 charged in 2012 murder of Reynolds County man

Published: Dec. 16, 2013 at 10:35 PM CST|Updated: Dec. 16, 2013 at 10:48 PM CST
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Zachary Clampitt
Zachary Clampitt
Tyson Fortner
Tyson Fortner

REYNOLDS COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - The Reynolds County Sheriff's Office has identified two suspects in an April 2012 murder.

Thomas Espy was shot through the glass window of his home on April 25, 2012 while he was sleeping on the couch just under the window.

Zachary Clampitt of Park Hills and Tyson Fortner of Bismarck have been identified by the Reynolds County Sheriff's Office as suspects in the case.

The sheriff's office is seeking 1st degree murder charges, armed criminal action and burglary charges against Clampitt. The sheriff's office is seeking 2nd degree murder and burglary charges against Fortner.

St. Louis County Police chased Clampitt in May 2012 and a police officer was assaulted. Clampitt left the scene on foot, but was later arrested. Police found a firearm in Clampitt's vehicle with the same caliber as the weapon used in Espy's murder.

Police received a tip in October 2013 that Tyson Fortner and Zachary Clampitt may have been involved in Espy's murder. A pistol in the custody of the St. Louis County Police Department was positively identified as the weapon used in Espy's murder.

Police say Fortner admitted that he and Clampitt had gone to Espy's home to commit a burglary and that Clampitt went to the window and shot inside. Then, Fortner told law enforcement they both left the scene.

The Reynolds County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Agency, South Central Drug Task Force, St. Francois County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the prosecutor's office assisted in the case.

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