Major Case Squads wraps up Dupo homicide investigation with arrests of 3 teens
A third teenager has been charged in connection with the shooting death of a Dupo man who was shot during gun sale involving his son and two other teens, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis said Friday.
A 15-year-old juvenile, who is in custody, was charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Cody Rhodes, 37, when the juvenile and another teen were trying to buy a gun at a Dupo home on Monday morning.
This juvenile’s name is not being released. Along with the murder charge, the juvenile faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of firearm without a Firearms Owners Identification, or FOID, card.
On Thursday, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office lodged charges against two other teens who also are in custody:
▪ Kingston Todd, 16, of Nixa, Missouri, is being charged as an adult and he faces charges of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm without a Firearms Owners Identification card and forgery. A charging document alleges he possessed a counterfeit $20 bill with the intention of delivering it to another person.
▪ Bryce M. Rhodes, 18, of Festus, Missouri, who is the son of Cody Rhodes, was charged with unlawful sale of firearm, possession of firearm without a Firearms Owners Identification card and obstructing justice. The charging document alleges he removed a firearm from the crime scene and put it in a backpack.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Justin Biggs, who served as Illinois chief deputy commander for the Major Case Squad, said in a news conference Friday that two suspects, ages 15 and 16, “attempted to purchase a firearm with counterfeit money.”
“During the transaction, the subjects brandished additional firearms, leading to gunfire that led to the death of Cody Rhodes,” Biggs said.
The shooting occurred at 111 N. Second St., which is across the street from the Dupo Police Department.
Biggs said a Dupo officer arrived at the scene two minutes after getting the 911 call about the shooting.
The officer found a “chaotic” scene and Cody Rhodes suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Biggs said. Rhodes was taken to Touchette Regional Hospital in Cahokia Heights, where he was pronounced deceased at 12:02 p.m.. Monday.
Dupo Police Chief Dennis Plew said it was a “tragedy” that brought the Major Case Squad to Dupo.
There were 18 investigators on the squad and they worked 73 leads leading to arrest and charges in the shooting death of Cody Rhodes.
Biggs praised the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and the collaboration of officers from Missouri and Illinois. This year the group celebrates 60 years of service.
Biggs said the Major Case Squad thanks all of the assisting agencies and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office for their collaboration in this case.
The Dupo Police Department was initially assisted by the following agencies:
- Illinois State Police
- St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office
- Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
- Columbia Police Department
- Sauget Police Department
- Cahokia Heights Police Department
- East Carondelet Police Department
- Metro East Auto Theft Task Force
