2 suspects in custody in connection with Bollinger Co. shooting

A Bollinger County shooting suspect was arrested at a home in a Cape Girardeau County subdivision on Monday night, June 12.
Published: Jun. 7, 2023 at 9:24 PM CDT|Updated: Jun. 14, 2023 at 12:28 PM CDT

BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - Two suspects were arrested in connection with a shooting in Bollinger County.

According to the Cape Girardeau County and Bollinger County Sheriff’s Offices, Christian Knotts traveled to Bollinger County on Wednesday morning for a brief court appearance. He then went back to Cape Girardeau County where he’s being held in their jail on the Bollinger County case.

Knotts does not face charges currently in Cape Girardeau County.

The Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had issued an arrest warrant for Knotts with a bond of $500,000 cash only for the charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

On Monday, June 12 around 8 p.m., investigators served a search warrant at a home on Windwood Lake Drive

Knotts, 18, of Jackson, was then taken into custody.

A Bollinger County shooting suspect was arrested at a home in a Cape Girardeau County subdivision on Monday night, June 12.(KFVS)

While serving the warrant, investigators say other individuals that were involved with criminal behavior were also found and arrested.

Christian Knotts, 18 of Jackson, was arrested in Cape Girardeau County on Monday night, June 12 in connection with a shooting in Bollinger County.(Source: Cape Girardeau County Jail)

On Friday, June 9, the Bollinger Co. Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the other suspect, Levi Fortner, was arrested shortly after 11 p.m. in Stoddard County on Thursday, June 8.

Levi Fortner, 24, was arrested on charges assault first degree, robbery first degree and armed criminal action.(Bollinger County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff’s office did not report how Fortner, 24, of Cape Girardeau, was caught, but did say he was taken into custody without any problems.

Fortner was wanted on assault first degree, robbery first degree and armed criminal action charges. He is being held on $500,00 cash only bond.

He is scheduled for a status hearing on Wednesday morning, June 14.

During his first appearance on June 9, he requested a bond reduction. That will be addressed during Wednesday’s hearing.

Fortner was identified by the sheriff’s office on Thursday as a second suspect wanted in connection with a shooting at a home on Highway 34 East on Monday, June 5.

When deputies responded to that home, they found one person with a gunshot wound.

According to Sheriff Casey Graham on Tuesday, the victim is in serious, but stable, condition.