Arnold mayor asks public to cooperate with unsolved homicide investigation

Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt said Wednesday that he had no updates on the investigation into the death of a Brackenridge man in an Arnold apartment last month.

Michael Coover Jr., 33, of Brackenridge was found shot to death in a 17th Street apartment Jan. 16.

Police identified Mario Matthew Gatti, 31, as a suspect in connection to Coover’s homicide and issued an arrest warrant charging him with homicide. Police have said Gatti is considered armed and dangerous.

Arnold Mayor Joe Bia is asking residents to be cooperative with city police officers as they continue to search for Gatti.

“I think with what’s going on currently, any cooperation that we can get from the public would be great,” Bia said. “The more cooperation that we can get from the public, the better, and maybe it helps catch this guy faster.”

Bia brought up the investigation at a recent council meeting because someone called him to tell him they weren’t happy the police were asking for their cooperation in the investigation.

“It’s an unsolved homicide in our city right now,” Bia said. “I know we have other unsolved homicides, but this one is the newest. So if it can be solved and not become another cold case, that would be great.”

Doutt told the Tribune-Review in January that a photo of Gatti was on a state police crime computer, but police aren’t allowed to share the photo with the public.

Anyone with information about Gatti’s whereabouts is advised to call 911.

“We’re really just asking for help,” Bia said.