(Image courtesy St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)
BALLWIN, MO (KTVI)- Authorities are investigating after a police officer was shot during a traffic stop Friday morning in west St. Louis County. It happened shortly around 11 a.m. near the 300 block of New Ballwin Road, in Ballwin, MO. The wound was in the neck.
The officer, who works for the Ballwin Police Department, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time.
Sources tell the Post that the officer was shot at least once from behind and there were at least three shots fired at him. The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle before leaving his car abandoned on Burgandy Drive in the Westridge Manor subdivision in Manchester, MO.
He was apprehended after a foot pursuit. St. Louis County officials say a weapon was recovered.
Police say he is a tall, thin African-American male who was wearing a gray tee-shirt and blue jeans. He was allegedly driving a blue Ford Taurus with Illinois temporary tags during the time of the shooting.
The St. Louis County Police Department will conduct this investigation. A joint news briefing was held Friday afternoon at the Ballwin Police Headquarters.
New Ballwin Road is closed in the area.
The City of Ballwin has a population of nearly 30,000. It is located in west St. Louis County, along Manchester Road west of Highway 141.
MO State Representative Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester)
“I am saddened by the streak of violence that has hit
our nation, most recently right outside of my district in Ballwin, MO. I pray
for healing for the officer that was shot and injured. I pray for the family of
the officer, as well as those who were injured yesterday amid more senseless
violence. I join all of our officers in blue, both in Missouri and Dallas, who
are mourning the loss of their brothers. Amidst this violence, we are
reminded of the risks the men and women of our law-enforcement community take
every day to serve and protect our communities. We can only defeat the discord
and violence in our country by pulling together and working towards peace,
healing and reconciliation.”
Ballwin Police Chief says officers used video of suspect from squad car dash cam of shooting incident to ID suspect prior to arresting him.
Suspect in Ballwin Police shooting was on parole for federal weapons violation; record includes weapons offenses in Missouri and California, stolen car in Oklahoma.
Chief Belmar – “Make no mistake, we believe the Ballwin Officer was ambushed.”
St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger: This shows “the incredible risk” our police officers face each and every day.
LIVE VIDEO: Press conference on Ballwin Officer shooting: http://fox2now.com/on-air/live-stream-sc/
St. Louis County police are wearing black mourning bands on badges for 5 days, for 5 Dallas officers killed. They are praying not to add 6th day of wearing bands on badges for Ballwin officer.
Police are holding a press conference about the shooting at 3pm
A homeowner describes the shooting:
The St. Louis County Police Department will conduct this investigation.
Image of the suspect’s vehicle:
Watch LIVE video from the newscast here: http://fox2now.com/live-streaming/
The officer who was wounded worked for the Ballwin Police Department.
Watch LIVE video from the helicopter here: http://fox2now.com/traffic/bommarito-skyfox-helicopter/
Report: The suspect has been apprehended in the 800 block of Burgundy Lane.
Report: The suspect is described as a tall, thin African-American male. He is wearing a gray tee-shirt and blue jeans.
Update:Suspect charged in shooting of Ballwin officer