JOPLIN, Mo. – A Missouri police officer was killed and two others are in the hospital following a shootout Tuesday afternoon in Joplin, multiple news outlets are reporting. The suspect also died, officials said.
According to The Associated Press and KOAM-TV, the incident began shortly before 1:30 p.m. near the Buckle store at the Northpark Crossing shopping center. Joplin police responded to a reported disturbance and arrived to find the suspect, who opened fire and struck two officers before fleeing in a police car, authorities said.
The suspect later crashed the stolen vehicle and fled on foot to a residential area near the intersection of Ninth Street and Connecticut Avenue, the news outlets reported. He again fired at officers, striking one before police shot him, authorities told KOAM.
Emergency crews rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where an officer and the suspect died from their wounds, according to KOAM. One officer remains in critical condition, while another is in serious but stable condition, the AP reported.
Officials have not yet released the names of the slain officer or suspect, according to the news outlets. The investigation is ongoing.
“Law enforcement officers take risks on behalf of us each day & it can cost them their lives,” Missouri Public Safety tweeted Tuesday night.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
