SPD asks for public's help to solve homicide

The Springfield Police Department is asking for the public's help as investigators try to find out who shot a man to death last month in a northside home.

Tyrone Gardner, 35, was killed on Oct. 26 in a home on the 2100 block of North East Avenue. Police say they are having trouble getting possible witnesses to cooperate, and they are asking anyone with information on the case to contact Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477 or submit a tip online at TipSubmit.com.

Tipsters can remain anonymous, and Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Police say a neighbor called to reported finding Gardner shot to death just before 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. The department said officers were interviewing witnesses and following up on leads the day after the shooting, but no arrests were reported.

Gardner has several prior felony convictions, and he allegedly told police in April that he had purchased a handgun for protection due to some threats he had received.

Gardner was a standout prep basketball player at Kickapoo High School. He went on to play at Southwest Baptist University.

Former Kickapoo coach Roy Green said he remembers Gardner as a good kid.

"He was a fine young man for me when he was here," Green said. "It's a tragedy."