ST. LOUIS COUNTY – A suspect has been taken into custody after shooting two police officers then barricading himself in a north St. Louis County home.
The shooting happened near Chambers and Bellefontaine Road around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
A St. Louis County police spokesperson says both officers were shot in their torsos and they had vests on. They were both taken to a local hospital where they were later released.
“When a bullet hits the chest even though it doesn't penetrate the skin, it still could cause damage internally, so as of right now they are expected to survive. They are going through testing just to make sure nothing internally happened with that round hitting them."
The officers have been identified as a 44-year-old man who has been with the department for eight years and a 25-year-old woman who has been with the department for three years.
The 37-year-old suspect barricaded himself in a home and a standoff lasted until just before 3 p.m. when SWAT officers raided the home and took the suspect into custody.
The suspect suffered one gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to an area hospital. He is expected to survive, police said.
Steve Jones, who witnessed the incident, called 911.
"As soon as the guy got to his feet, he starts shooting, pulls out a gun and starts shooting," he said. "That's why I called 911, because I did not know if they could call dispatch or what and then I concentrated when I was on the phone with them, concentrated on where this guy was headed to."
Both directions of Interstate 270 were also closed between Riverview and Route 367 for about 30 minutes around 9 a.m. due to police activity.
Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at (636) 529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS.
