Tyson Fortner, second suspect charged in 2012 murder of Thomas Espy
Officials have now charged a second suspect for the fatal shooting of a retired metal worker back in 2012.
Tyson Fortner, age 24, has been charged with second-degree murder of Thomas Espy, the 57-year-old St Louis man killed on April 25, 2012.
Zachary Clampitt, age 24, was initially charged with first-degree murder of killing Espy while he slept on a couch at his family’s retreat.
After the initial investigation in April, Reynolds County Sheriff Tom Volner indicated he did not believe the shooting was accidental. According to sheriff’s reports, several shell casings were located on the ground outside the front window off the home.
The Daily Journal reports that investigators detailed how Fortner told police that Clampitt took him to Espy’s home, gathered tools to steal.
According to Fortner’s statement to authorities, while carrying the tools from the building Clampitt set his stolen tools down and went to the front window of the residence.
Fortner told police he went across the yard to a parked utility vehicle and began to go through it. He said he then saw Clampitt fire into the residence and that he (Fortner) ran back to their vehicle. Clampitt returned to the vehicle a few minutes later and, according to Fortner’s statements to police, admitted to shooting Espy.
They then fled the scene.
Fortner’s bond has been set at $1 million cash-only. He is already in the St. Francois County Jail on a felony warrant for driving with a suspended license, a warrant for shoplifting, and a warrant for failure to appear for stealing.
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