Missouri Sniper Who Killed Toddler Becomes State Trooper
Keaton Siebenaler, a former Joplin Police Department sniper who fatally shot two-year-old Clesslynn Crawford during a 2022 hostage standoff, has officially become a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper. For nearly four years, Siebenaler’s identity was protected by legal battles initiated by the city of Joplin, but recent court rulings allowed KCUR and The Midwest Newsroom to reveal his name. Siebenaler left the Joplin police force in August 2025 and recently graduated from the MSHP academy. The Highway Patrol confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Crawford, who was killed by a stray bullet while inside a trailer where her father was exchanging fire with police. Despite the controversy, MSHP officials stated that Siebenaler passed a full background investigation and met all professional standards for employment. He is now assigned to patrol Vernon and Barton counties. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the tragic death of the child and the subsequent hiring decision by state authorities.
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Missouri Sniper Who Killed Toddler Becomes State Trooper
Keaton Siebenaler, a former Joplin Police Department sniper who fatally shot two-year-old Clesslynn Crawford during a 2022 hostage standoff, has officially become a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper. For nearly four years, Siebenaler’s identity was protected by legal battles initiated by the city of Joplin, but recent court rulings allowed KCUR and The Midwest Newsroom to reveal his name. Siebenaler left the Joplin police force in August 2025 and recently graduated from the MSHP academy. The Highway Patrol confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Crawford, who was killed by a stray bullet while inside a trailer where her father was exchanging fire with police. Despite the controversy, MSHP officials stated that Siebenaler passed a full background investigation and met all professional standards for employment. He is now assigned to patrol Vernon and Barton counties. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the tragic death of the child and the subsequent hiring decision by state authorities.
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