United States Marshal Shot, Suspect Is Dead

ST. LOUIS, MO — A United States Marshal was shot Monday morning in north St. Louis County while serving a warrant. Fox 2 St. Louis reports that the marshal, who was taken to a nearby hospital, was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to survive the shooting.

The United States Marshal Service is a federal law enforcement agency tasked with tracking down fugitives. Deputies were reportedly serving a warrant in the 10300 block of Durness Drive in the western part of Glasgow Village when an individual opened fire as they were getting out of their cars.

Marshals returned fire and the shooter, identified by police as 40-year-old William Watson Jr., barricaded himself inside a home. When a SWAT team searched the home, they found Watson dead, likely shot in the initial gun battle with marshals. Investigators said Watson's wounds did not appear self-inflicted.

During the standoff, nearby Riverview Gardens School High School was placed on soft lockdown as a precaution.

County police said shortly before noon via Twitter that the suspect is not in custody and the scene remained active, but witnesses at the scene said police had entered the home where the shooter was believed to be hiding and left shortly after. The county's SWAT team reportedly began packing up to leave shortly after noon.

The Post-Dispatch reports the shooter had been released on bond for a domestic assault case, but didn't show up for a sentencing hearing. Another warrant for assault was also outstanding and the shooter had a previous weapons-related conviction dating to 1997, according to the paper.

Missouri Republicans passed a law in 2016 — overriding the veto of then-Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon — loosening the state's gun laws and making it easier for domestic abusers to obtain guns. A bill to fix the loophole created by that law is currently in committee. A hearing has not been scheduled and the bill is opposed by the National Rifle Association.

A U.S. Marshals detective was shot and is being treated at a local hospital. Scene in Glasgow Village remains active. Suspect is not in custody. Our dept. will be handling the investigation. pic.twitter.com/ymKgLRq2DP
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) February 26, 2018