Murder warrant issued in Pierce City slaying

Federal, state leaders salute Joplin’s recovery

A deadly May twister may have punched a hole in Joplin and Duquesne two years ago, but the resolve to repair it will help other communities stand strong when they face similar disasters. That was the message of state and national diginitaries to a crowd of about 2,500 who observed the second anniversary of Joplin’s devastating May 22, 2011, storm during a ceremony Wednesday in Cunningham Park.

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August 13, 2012

Murder warrant issued in Pierce City slaying

By Jeff Lehr Globe Staff Writer The Joplin Globe Mon Aug 13, 2012, 02:20 PM CDT

PIERCE CITY, Mo. — A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Martin Meza in the slaying of Able Ibarra, of Purdy.

Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies are seeking Meza, 28, of Pierce City, on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Ibarra, 45, whose body was discovered about 9 a.m. Sunday along a roadway in a wooded area of the county.

His death is believed to be linked to a call Saturday night reporting possible shots fired with injury at a residence northeast of Pierce City. Deputies responding to the call found a large amount of blood but no one still at the residence. The body was discovered several hours later a few miles from the residence.

The Lawrence County sheriff’s office said in a news release that Meza, also known as Carlos Gonzalez, should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is being asked to call 911.

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