FESTUS, Mo. (News First) – A woman was found dead after law enforcement shot and wounded an armed man wearing body armor on Highway 67 in Jefferson County on Sunday (Dec 8th). Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel says they first received a call about a shooting in the vicinity of I-55 and A Highway around 11:10 am.
“They located the vehicle. Crystal City [Police Department] showed up to assist our officers in attempting to stop the vehicle,” Wendel says in a Sunday afternoon press conference. “The vehicle made a right turn to head southbound onto 67 where it then struck a concrete median barrier, flipped around and ended up in the northbound lanes of 67 in front of the Dollar Tree. At that point and time, the suspect did step out of the vehicle wearing body armor and armed and at that point, officers engaged with him.”
Crystal City Police Chief Chad Helms says the suspect began firing shots and he approached his officers.
“It appears the vehicle failed to yield and crashed. Our officers then were confronted by the subject/suspect wearing body armor and displaying multiple weapons,” Helms says. “It’s my understanding there were shots fired by the subject at this time. Our officers then engaged in returning fire in the incident and the incident was brought to a conclusion at that point. At this point, both of our officers are safe, and I’m thankful for that, and the suspect has been taken off the scene for medical attention.”
Helms says the suspect’s injuries are unknown at this time. He also confirms “a lot of things right now that can’t be answered” as the incident is still under investigation.
The woman is believed to have been deceased before the incident began.
