New details on fatal shooting in downtown Cape Girardeau in July

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri (KFVS) – We're learning new details about the deadly shooting last month in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The police are still investigating, but we now know more about the vacant shop where the incident occurred.

“Devastating, heartbreaking. I felt like my whole world had collapsed,” said Alicia Thomas, the wife of shooting victim Linard Thomas.

The victim's family described 417 Broadway as a type of club, a place they call “The Lounge.”

According to police, there is no business license for this address and the city recently rejected an application for a liquor license.

We do not know the name of the man who was renting the premises at the time of the shooting. Police say his name is Keith McFerren.

Although this was the first reported incident on the property, city records show that McFerren had leased another property in the city that caused plenty of problems for police.

The property at 1621 Independence was formerly leased by McFerren. Police reports show only a handful of the citations issued against McFerren in 2023, including business and liquor license violations and operating an after-hours club.

Back on Broadway, officers continue to investigate the fatal shooting that occurred inside a building on July 14. Police are not releasing any further details about that location, but say there is no business license or liquor license at that address. The shooting remains under investigation.

“Investigators have followed up on leads and have located all the people they need to speak with,” said Patrol Officer Bobby Newton. “We are currently conducting an investigation to determine who else may be involved in the incident.”

And police are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

“We know that there were several people in the area at the time, so anyone who knows anything or saw anything please come forward and let us know,” Newton said.

While the investigation continues, the city's new gun violence task force could play a role in cracking down on these after-hours clubs.

Mayor Stacy Kinder tells us that group members plan to speak soon about chronic harassment and criminal harassment.

All rights reserved.