HAZELWOOD, Mo. — A suspect in a deadly Tuesday night double shooting in Hazelwood was charged Wednesday.
Joseph H. Moore, 31, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the shooting deaths of his parents.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, Hazelwood officers responded at about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a disturbance with shots possibly fired in the 7000 block of Woody Court.
When officers arrived, they said they found Joseph Moore in the street armed with a gun. An officer told him to drop his gun before he fired shots in the direction of the officer. The officer fired his gun at Joseph Moore, but police said the bullets did not hit the suspect.
Moore then turned his own gun on himself, resulting in a self-inflicted injury. He was taken to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Two homicide victims were found inside the suspect's home.
Police identified the victims as 63-year-old James Moore and 70-year-old Norma Moore.
Joseph Moore is in police custody at the hospital, where he is still receiving treatment.
"It was a pretty chaotic scene last night ... some of the neighbors were pretty upset about it ... we're still interviewing some of the neighbors," Lieutenant James Taschner with the Hazelwood Police Department said.
5 On Your Side talked to several neighbors, who didn't want to go on camera, but talked in detail about this tragedy on their street.
"It wasn't a random ... violent act ... everyone knew each other because they were all family members," Taschner said. "It wasn't a random act of violence."
The Hazelwood police officer who returned fire at the suspect was described as a 28-year-old with four years of experience in law enforcement.
Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. Anonymous tips can be reported to CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
This breaking news story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
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