A driver who died following an exchange of gunfire with Howell County Sheriff Matt Roberts and deputies early Friday morning has been identified as the same suspect involved in a high-speed pursuit ten days earlier, officials confirmed to the Quill.
William J. Warfel, 24, of Arnold, died at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield from injuries sustained in the shooting, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole, whose agency was requested to lead the investigation.
Court records show Warfel was out on a $100,000 surety bond following an Aug. 18 arrest in Willow Springs. In that incident, Warfel allegedly fled a speed-related traffic stop initiated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Tpr. B.A. Swink on westbound U.S. 60. The resulting pursuit reached speeds of 120 mph near the Howell and Texas county line before Swink terminated the chase at the U.S. 60/63 junction due to public safety concerns.
Warfel’s vehicle subsequently broke down near the Willow Springs Fire Department, where he was taken into custody by Willow Springs Deputy Police Chief Ryan Boyle. A search of Warfel yielded a Glock 17 9mm pistol and suspected LSD tabs, while a search of his vehicle uncovered methamphetamine, 4-methylaminorex and about $900 in quarters believed to be tied to a separate burglary.
Warfel was charged with possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest by fleeing, and unlawful use of a weapon. He was released on $100,000 surety bond Aug. 21, but prosecutors obtained a new no-bond warrant for his arrest on Friday.
Early that day, at about 1:07 a.m., West Plains police officers had initiated a traffic stop on Warfel’s vehicle near north U.S. 63 and County Road 1820 suspecting involvement in a narcotics transaction. During the encounter, a West Plains officer fired at Warfel, who then sped away northbound on U.S. 63.
Howell County deputies took over the primary pursuit as Warfel traveled west on U.S. 60. Cabool police officers deployed tire deflation devices, but Warfel continued before turning north onto U.S. 63 at the interchange.
Deputies executed a tactical vehicle intervention to disable Warfel's car, causing it to come to rest in a ditch. Warfel then exited the vehicle and opened fire on Roberts and responding deputies, who returned fire, striking him several times.
Warfel was taken into custody at the scene and flown by air ambulance to Springfield, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the gunfire. At the request of Roberts and Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey, the independent investigation was turned over to the Christian County Sheriff's Office.
Roberts expressed gratitude to the Texas County Sheriff's Office, the Cabool, West Plains and Mtn. View police departments and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance during the incident.
