The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Independent Police Department made an arrest Sunday evening connected to the recent murders of two men in Independence.

18-year-old James Taylor Shawn Gofourth of Independence was arrested just after 5 p.m. on Sunday evening. The arrest warrant, served to Gofourth at the Labette County Jail, alleges that Gofourth committed two counts of first-degree murder related to the deaths of 27-year-old Tyler Cook and 24-year-old Rodricus Dawson. In addition to the murder charges, the warrant also alleges one count of attempted murder for injuring a 27-year-old Independence woman.

Gofourth and two other suspects had already been arrested early Sunday morning in Chetopa for an attempted armed robbery of an individual which occurred at the Chetopa Motel. The Chetopa Police Department was immediately dispatched, and Deputies from the Labette County Sheriff's Office responded to assist in the investigation. During the investigation, it was determined the suspects left the area in a vehicle eastbound.  A short time later,  the suspect vehicle re-entered Chetopa city limits, and a high-risk vehicle stop was initiated by the Chetopa Police Department, Labette County Sheriff's Office and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

The occupants of the vehicle were removed from the vehicle and during a search, a loaded handgun was that was stolen from Pittsburg was discovered. In addition, methamphetamine and items used for the packaging and distribution of methamphetamine was discovered

35-year-old Racheal N. Westman and 34-year old Jacob D. Musgrove both of Independence were arrested and transported to the Labette County Jail and are being held on a $50,000 bond each for charges arising from the incident in Chetopa. Gofourth is being held without bond.