Springfield police identify suspect in deadly shooting of Kayden Morton

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
Updated ·2 min read

The Springfield Police Department has identified a suspect in the case of a young man who was shot and killed in northwest Springfield last weekend.

Officers found Kayden Morton, 23, dead with gunshot wounds at 902 N. Glenn Ave. on the evening of Sunday, June 25. A suspect was identified and interviewed as of Thursday, Springfield Police Department Public Affairs Officer Cris Swaters said.

In an effort to raise money for funeral services, a headstone and relief for Morton's parents, his family created a GoFundMe fundraiser last week. With a goal of $7,000, the GoFundMe has raised more than $7,100 as of Friday, with 91 total donations.

According to the GoFundMe, Morton was giving a new friend a car ride on the evening of June 25 when he was caught in the middle of something he was not expecting.

Kayden Morton, 23, of Springfield was shot and killed on the evening of Sunday, June 25, 2023. His family is hosting a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for his funeral services, a gravestone and relief money for his parents.
Kayden Morton, 23, of Springfield was shot and killed on the evening of Sunday, June 25, 2023. His family is hosting a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for his funeral services, a gravestone and relief money for his parents.

"Kayden has not only been a light for his family but for the community," Nikkia, Morton's older sister, wrote in the GoFundMe summary. "We are hoping to give him the service he deserves. He was a protector, a lover and cared more than he wanted to show. Kayden will forever be remembered by his jokes, intellect and clowning on his family and friends."

Morton's visitation service is at Greenlawn Funeral Home North on Wednesday, July 5 from 6-8 p.m. His funeral service is at the Springfield Seventh-day Adventist Church on Thursday, July 6 at 1 p.m. Morton will be laid to rest at the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens immediately following the funeral service.

The Springfield Police Department is actively investigating this case and asks that anyone with information related to this incident contact the department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477 or online at p3tips.com.

This is Springfield's ninth homicide investigation of 2023.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Family of shooting victim hosts GoFundMe to raise money for funeral