Joplin man who killed himself during standoff with SWAT identified

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The suspect in this incident has been positively identified by investigators as James A. Weiss, Jr., age 44, of Joplin. 

Preliminary information indicates Weiss died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. An official autopsy is still pending. 

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing and further updates may be released as information becomes available. 

Original news release

On March 30, 2022, the Joplin Police Department received a report of a missing person and initiated an investigation. 

On the afternoon of March 31st, 2022, the missing person was located deceased at a residence at 2201 S. Jackson Avenue in Joplin. Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are actively conducting a death investigation. 

At this time, no information regarding the identity of the victim is being release until next of kin notifications are made. Detectives are actively looking to speak with a person of interest in the matter. No information on that person is being released at this time. No comment is being made on the cause of the death. 

The Joplin Police Department asks if anyone has any information regarding this incident to please contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131. Further details will be released as the investigation progresses and information develops.

First update

Detectives have positively identified the victim in this case as Donald Wimer, age 54 of Joplin. Next of kin has been notified. 

It has been determined that this was a homicide, and it is believed Wimer died as a result of a gunshot related injury. An autopsy has been ordered for Mr. Wimer to determine the exact cause of death. Detectives continued their investigation and developed a suspect in the incident. 

On the evening of March 31st, Detectives received information that the suspect in this case was located at 2201 S. Empire Avenue in Joplin. Detectives were able to secure a search warrant for this address along with an arrest warrant related to the death investigation for the suspect. 

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Joplin Police Officers and Detectives attempted to get the suspect to exit the residence however those attempts were unsuccessful. 

The Joplin Police Department SWAT Team was activated and responded to the scene. The SWAT Team made numerous attempts to also get the suspect to exit the address, but he refused. 

Joplin SWAT introduced chemical munitions into the residence in an effort to force him to exit and surrender to law enforcement. 

During the process of inserting chemical munitions, a fire became visible from the attic area of the home. The chemical munitions utilized by the Joplin SWAT Team were non-burning/non-incendiary. Joplin SWAT Team members also reported hearing a gunshot come from inside the residence. 

The Joplin Fire Department was summoned to the scene and worked in conjunction with SWAT Team members to get the fire extinguished. 

Once conditions improved, SWAT officers were able to begin clearing the residence and located a deceased male subject in the attic of the home. The scene was turned over to Joplin Police Detectives as they continued their investigation. No civilians, officers or firefighters were injured during the incident. 

The Joplin Police Department will be working in conjunction with the Joplin Fire Department and the Joplin Fire Marshal on the scene at 2201 S. Empire Avenue. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time until proper identification and next of kin notifications are made. Detectives are not seeking any other suspects and there is no threat to the community. The investigation is continuing and further details may be released as they become available.