Murder charges filed in Fort Scott double homicide

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Courts file murder charges against Dawson Mitchell in the double homicide of a Fort Scott couple.

The Bourbon County Prosecutor’s Office filed the charges on December 28, 2021. That’s according to court documents. Those charges include,

  • Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated
  • Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated
  • Criminal possession of weapon by felon; Convicted within 5 years
  • Theft of property/services; Firearm with value less than $25,000
  • Agg weapons violation by felon;
  • Theft of property or services; Value less than $1,500

Authorities believe that Dawson Michell killed his mother Melissa Mitchell and Leonard Zimmerman at their home on December 21, 2021.

After the crime, police started searching for Dawson as a person of interest. The next day, they found him and arrested him for theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful possession of controlled substances.

Night of the Crime

On the evening of Dec. 21, around 7:40 pm, the Fort Scott Police Department responded to 402 Main Street. The caller got home to find a female family member shot.

Police got there and found 48-year-old Melissa L. Mitchell dead from a gunshot wound. They also found 53-year-old Leonard D. Zimmerman dead inside the home.

Around 8:30 pm, the Fort Scott Police Department requested help from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to Fort Scott.

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