ST. LOUIS — A man was shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday after authorities said he stabbed a puppy and then himself inside an office building in St. Louis' Cheltenham neighborhood.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the incident happened on the 5700 block of Oakland Avenue, near the former site of the St. Louis Arena.
St. Louis police Maj. Janice Bockstruck said in a news briefing that the man, who had been staying at the nearby Hampton Inn and Suites, was wandering around the Renaissance Financial building holding a puppy. The man appeared to be in a "mental health crisis" and was entering offices and sitting in various chairs.
When officers arrived, the man pulled out a knife and began stabbing the dog. Police deployed a stun gun, which was not effective, and the man was able to break free.
He then went into a stairwell, where he sat down and began stabbing himself in the neck, police said.
The man then stood up, and an officer, fearing for his life after witnessing the man's prior violent behavior, fired his service weapon.
The man was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"Once you start taking violent actions toward animals and yourself ... We tried to deescalate, but unfortunately, it didn't work," Bockstruck said.
No officers were injured.
The 1-year-old pitbull mix was taken to the nearby Humane Society of Missouri for treatment.
Laura Keller, the Humane Society's marketing and communications director, said the veterinary team noticed only one stab wound and the dog is expected to be fine. The dog was "happy and open to snuggling" and would be placed for adoption when ready, Keller said.
For St. Louis police, this situation comes just days after one of their own was killed in the line of duty.
"They are grieving, but they are professional, and they will continue to do what they have to do to protect the citizens of the city," Bockstruck said.
The incident Wednesday is the 14th involving a law enforcement officer in St. Louis in 2024.