PACIFIC, Mo. — A manhunt after a triple shooting ended with a suspect in custody, the Pacific Police Department said.
Officers responded to a 911 call for shots fired on Saturday around 10:30 p.m., police said.
Pacific police and Franklin County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived to find two victims with gunshot wounds in a grassy area of the 200 block of South Columbus Street. Officers also found another victim with gunshot wounds in the back of a home on East Central Street.
Each of the victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remained in the hospital Monday. The victims include:
- A 36-year-old woman with critical injuries.
- A 25-year-old woman with "stable" vital signs.
- A 3-year-old boy with "stable" vital signs.
Police said once they determined the suspect was known by the victims, he fled the scene. While fleeing, he crashed the car in the 18100 block of Old US Highway 66 and continued to flee on foot.
The suspect, 44-year-old Quentin L. Howard, was charged with two counts of first-degree felony domestic assault, one count of first-degree felony assault with serious physical injury, three counts of felony armed criminal action and one count of felony unlawful possession of a firearm. He was being held Monday without bond.
The three victims received first aid from neighbors and officers. EMS transported the victims to an area hospital.
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.