A 23-year-old man who police say murdered his own mother and stepfather in Arizona was killed by Missouri state troopers after a dramatic multi-state manhunt and a shootout on the highway. The violent end came just days after two bodies were found in the family’s quiet home.
Arizona Double Murder Sparks Urgent Search
On Sunday night, police in Snowflake-Taylor, Arizona, were called to check on a couple who hadn’t been heard from. Inside the house, they found a terrible scene—Troy Templeton, 62, and Cynthia Templeton, 53, were both dead from gunshot wounds. A third person, Cynthia’s daughter, managed to escape unharmed.
Detectives quickly identified Francis Alcantar-Chavez, 23, as the prime suspect. He was Cynthia’s biological son—and the only person unaccounted for.
A nationwide alert went out almost immediately.
The Chase Across States: From Arizona to Missouri
Just two days later, on Tuesday evening, police in Concordia, Missouri, spotted a man on a motorcycle matching Francis’s description. When they tried to pull him over, he refused to stop, triggering a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, the suspect reportedly crashed into a patrol car, then got up and started running on foot.
That’s when it turned deadly.
According to reports, Alcantar-Chavez fired a gun at a state trooper, hitting the officer’s bulletproof vest. Troopers fired back—killing him at the scene.
Who Were the Victims?
The victims, Cynthia and Troy Templeton, were well-known in their Arizona community. Both served as volunteer members of the Arizona Rangers, a nonprofit group that supports local law enforcement.
Family members described them as kind, generous people. They had only been married a little over a year, according to relatives.
No motive has been confirmed yet, but investigators believe the killings were premeditated.
What Happens Next?
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Investigators in Arizona and Missouri are now working together to complete the timeline of events.
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Missouri authorities are reviewing the shooting of Alcantar-Chavez to confirm all use of force was justified.
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The case has raised serious questions about mental health, family violence, and gun access.
The community of Snowflake-Taylor is in mourning. Counseling services and public safety talks are being organized to help residents feel safe again.