Tempe man suspected of killing Arizona couple shot dead after shooting Missouri trooper

A 23-year-old man suspected of killing his mother and stepfather in the small northern Arizona town of Taylor has been shot and killed by a state trooper in Missouri, according to law enforcement officials.

Francis Alcantar-Chavez was shot and killed on June 17 after shooting and wounding a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper during a pursuit, law enforcement officials said.

Alcantar-Chavez was wanted by police as the suspect in the deaths of his mother, Cynthia Templeton, 53, and stepfather, Troy Templeton, 62, according to the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department. The couple were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in a single family home on June 15, the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department said.

The trooper was shot in his bullet resistant vest and was transported to a hospital in Missouri with minor injuries, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol was notified at approximately 6:17 p.m. June 17 that the Concordia Police Department was in pursuit of a motorcycle ridden by a suspect wanted for the double homicide in Arizona.

Missouri state troopers spotted the motorcycle about two hours later after officers initially lost sight of the motorcycle, the Missouri State High Patrol said in a written statement. The incident occurred in a town called Sweet Springs, local media reported. Sweet Springs is about 65 miles east of St. Louis.

The motorcycle crashed into a trooper’s vehicle and the suspect fled on foot. A trooper gave chase. Alcantar-Chavez armed with a handgun fired, striking the trooper in his bullet resistant vest, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Lt. Derick Ortiz of the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department.

The trooper returned fire, striking Alcantar-Chavez. Alcantar-Chavez was pronounced dead on the scene, Ortiz said.

Police are investigating the homicides and still do not have a clear motive, Ortiz said.

Alcantar-Chavez had been staying with the Templetons in the days leading up to the homicides, Ortiz said in an interview.

Following the homicides, Alcantar-Chavez left on his motorcycle, Ortiz said.

Family members told police they believed Alcantar-Chavez was headed to Florida. It’s unclear why he was traveling through Missouri, Ortiz said.

Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Bobby Martin expressed “profound relief” that the trooper shot in Missouri only sustained minor injuries and was expected to make a full recovery, Ortiz said.

Snowflake-Taylor police issued a nationwide stop and hold for Alcantar-Chavez after he was identified as a person of interest in the deaths of Cynthia and Troy Templeton, Ortiz said.

The deaths of the couple were discovered by Cynthia’s ex-husband, Luis Alcantar, on June 15 when he was returning two children he shared with Cynthia to the home, Ortiz said. Luis Alcantar then notified police, Ortiz said.

Taylor has a population of about 4,200 and is located in northeast Arizona.

The Templetons were both part of the Arizona Rangers, which is a group of uniformed non-commissioned civilians who act as an auxiliary to law enforcement.

“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Ranger Troy Templeton and Lieutenant Cynthia Templeton, who were tragically lost in a non-service-related incident on June 15, 2025,” the Arizona Rangers − Show Low Company said in a post on Facebook June 16.

“Both served the Arizona Rangers and their community with unwavering courage, integrity, and compassion. Their legacy of service and sacrifice will forever be remembered and honored.”