Armed Standoff Ends In Arrest After Two Officers Shot

ST. LOUIS, MO — Two Bellefontaine Neighbors police officers were shot near the intersection of Bellefontaine and Chambers Roads in north St. Louis County Thursday morning. Authorities say they were struck in the chest and their ballistic vests likely saved their lives. They were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and since gunshots, even when stopped by Kevlar armor, can cause bruising, internal bleeding, and organ damage.

Bellefontaine Neighbors Mayor Bob Doerr told the Post-Dispatch that the bullet proof vests were only purchased for the officers in the last year. The officers' names haven't been released, but they are said to be a 44-year-old male sergeant and a 25-year-old female patrol officer.

Witnesses say the officers confronted the armed man on his front lawn and were attempting to arrest him. The officers used a taser to try to control the suspect but were unsuccessful, and the man opened fire with a handgun from close range. One officer returned fire and police say it's unclear if the suspect was injured.

After the shooting, the gunman barricaded himself in a nearby house, where police believed he may have had access to an AR-15 assault rifle. Police surrounded the house and called in tactical units to the scene. Officials said the officers had stopped the man because he was suspected of a shooting that occurred in the same neighborhood the previous night. Police say the suspect is 37 years old and have called him "Jason" over loudspeakers.

"Officers are still on scene continuing to try to bring about a peaceful resolution with the suspect," police said around noon Thursday. "He remains armed and barricaded inside a home."

Shortly before 2 p.m., both officers had been released from the hospital where they were treated. The suspect is still armed and barricaded in the house. "This remains a very active scene," police said.

The suspect was arrested around 3 p.m. after exchanging gunfire with police, bringing an end to the standoff. Police say he was shot in the upper torso, but was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. They are unsure if the man was wounded in the later exchange of gunfire or in the earlier encounter. Two handguns were recovered from the house.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or St. Louis Regional Crimestoppers toll free at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). All callers can remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website or free app.