Police Officer Shoots Man At Spanish Lake Apartment Complex

ST. LOUIS, MO — A St. Louis County Police officer shot and killed a man at a north county apartment complex Thursday evening, the Post-Dispatch reports.

A spokesperson for the county police said the shooting happened around 5:30 p.m. in the 11100 block of Ruesta Drive in Spanish Lake. During a call about a domestic disturbance, police spotted a man who appeared unresponsive sitting in an SUV in the apartment complex's parking lot. One officer spotted a handgun in the man's car and opened the door to secure it. At that point, the man appears to have woken up and struggled with the officer for control of the weapon. One officer fired his gun at least four times, according to witnesses, striking the man at least once in the abdomen as he tried to drive away.

The man, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He later died.

Police said the SUV the man was driving had been reported stolen, though it's not clear they knew that until after the shooting.

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The shooting is under investigation. It is the fourth police shooting in St. Louis or St. Louis County in two months. At the end of August, police in St. Louis shot a suspected carjacker in the city's West End neighborhood. In September, St. Louis police shot a 15-year-old who had a gun in the north city. And, just last week, police shot a suspected thief in south St. Louis. He was armed with a pellet gun.

Anyone with information should contact St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers toll free at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). All callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. Tips can also be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website or free app.

Read more from the Post-Dispatch.

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