Tensions between two Missouri men began with an emoji reaction to a selfie posted on Facebook and allegedly led to fatal gunfire Tuesday, according to local reports.
Tanner Watkins, 20, posted a picture of him and his significant other on the social media platform, eliciting a laughing emoji response from an 18-year-old who is believed to be the now-late Isiah Fitzgerald, according to KFVS-12. The two sought to settle the score at a park in Sikeston, Missouri, and while meeting they reportedly started shooting.
Some dude murdered a guy because the guy laugh reacted a profile picture of him and his girlfriend. pic.twitter.com/IbrV8vFTmS
— Maw (@TheEbonyMaw) May 2, 2023
In addition to the death of Fitzgerald, an 18-year-old woman was also injured, Fox 2 Now reported. Watkins and his alleged cohort Kaleb Ramsey have been charged with murder in the first degree on top of charges of assault, unlawful use of a weapon, as well as endangering the life of a child, according to KFVS. (RELATED: Upcoming Supreme Court Case Could Impact Everything From Online Jokes To Religious Speech)
UPDATE: Two suspects are in custody>> https://t.co/bhCUAX0f4B
— KFVS News (@kfvsnews) April 26, 2023
The virtual dispute is what brought the shooting suspects and pair of victims “to meet at the park for a fight, which led to the shooting,” according to the outlet. That park, called Rotary Park, is adjacent to a golf course, so it was not long before local residents in the area notified law enforcement.
First responders pronounced Fitzgerald dead at the scene shortly after arriving. Authorities transferred the injured young woman with “life-threatening” injuries to a nearby hospital.
Law enforcement officials gathered evidence at the scene of the crime, including a shot-up Chevy Malibu that contained the injured young woman, as well as an unscathed adolescent in the back seat. The Malibu was one of two vehicles allegedly present at the scene, Sikeston Department of Public Safety Chief Jim McMillen said. Investigators also found several weapons.
“We had a couple different rifles that were used in this a few pistols as well,” McMillen continued.
“Court documents state multiple gunshots from an AK-47-style rifle were fired towards the Chevy Malibu,” KFVS noted. (RELATED: Elite Team Of Border Patrol Agents Nabbed Texas Shooting Suspect)
The pair of suspects, Watkins and Ramsey, remain in the custody of local police without the potential of receiving release by posting bond.
Both parties are subject to virtual arraignments Friday. The duo are scheduled to receive a bond hearing May 8.