RICHWOODS, Mo. (News First) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control is currently investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday (Sept 10th). The Washington County Sheriff’s Office states the incident happened at Roy’s Convenience Store in Richwoods around 10:45 pm.
Deputies were dispatched and responded to the location to investigate a trespassing complaint.
Upon arrival, deputies contacted a store employee who reported the complaint and confirmed that the subject parked in a pickup truck in the parking lot was trespassing. Deputies approached and spoke to the subject in the driver’s seat, but were provided false information about his identity. The employee told deputies they wanted the subject removed from the property. Deputies reinitiated contact with the subject, who was later identified as 36-year-old David M. Peter, and requested he exit the vehicle.
A deputy opened the driver’s side door and instructed Peter to exit the vehicle. Peter refused and started the vehicle, placed the vehicle in drive, and tried to flee. The deputy attempted to stop Peter by putting the vehicle in park but was unsuccessful.
Peter accelerated his vehicle, while the deputy was partially inside of it. Peter struck one deputy’s patrol vehicle. pinning the deputy between it and his vehicle, causing injury to the deputy. The deputies, fearing for their safety and the safety of others, fired their weapons, striking Peter. Peter’s vehicle then struck a second deputy’s patrol vehicle. Peter was pronounced dead by the Washington County Coroner at the scene. One deputy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident at the request of Washington County Sheriff Zach E. Jacobsen, along with the Washington County Coroner’s Office. The results will be sent to the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Jacobsen says he will not be releasing further information nor the names of the deputies involved until the investigation is complete.
