St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson says the suspect wanted for shooting and wounding the sergeant, was shot and killed overnight in a shootout with police on Smiley and Leola in Southwest St. Louis.
(CBS St. Louis)- Dotson says they were tracking the suspect after he left his car in a parking garage near Laclede’s Landing. Dotson says a female friend picked him up and they went to the neighborhood around Smiley, because they were familiar with it and have friends in the area.
Police tried to stop the car, the woman did stop, but the 19-year old suspect got out of the car and started running toward officers, through an alley and yard, came out into the street and opened fire on an unmarked police car. Two officers inside that vehicle were slightly hurt by flying glass.
Dotson says as other officers converged on him, he opened fire on them, and they returned fire, killing him.
Dotson says the 19-year-old was wanted for a string of crimes, including murder, robbery and a possible carjacking. Dotson believes that’s why he shot the officer Sunday evening on Hampton at Pernod, because he knew police were looking for him.
Dotson said it was too early in the investigation to know if the female with the suspect will face any charges.