FERGUSON, Mo. — A Ferguson police officer shot and killed a suspect early Tuesday morning after witnessing a deadly shooting in the parking lot of a gas station.
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told 5 On Your Side the incident happened at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at the QuikTrip on West Florissant Avenue. An officer was exiting the gas station after hearing gunfire near the gas pumps and saw a suspect shoot a man.
Recognizing the threat to others, the officer shot and fatally wounded the suspect, Doyle said.
St. Louis County police said the wounded suspect then ran onto West Florissant Road, where he collapsed.
The initial shooting victim, 26-year-old Detarius Haynes, and the suspect, 18-year-old Joshua Campbell, were both pronounced dead, Doyle said.
According to St. Louis County police, a preliminary investigation revealed Haynes and Campbell had arrived at the gas station in the same car and were believed to know each other.
The officer involved in the shooting was relieved until further notice. Doyle said the officer has been with Ferguson police for less than a year.
County police said the officer, who was uninjured in the incident, is 37 years old with 9 years of experience in law enforcement.
St. Louis County Bureau of Crimes Against Persons assumed the ongoing investigation.
No other information was available as of Tuesday morning.
Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact St. Louis County investigators at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
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.
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