ST. LOUIS — A teenage boy inside a stolen car was shot and killed by a St. Louis police officer Tuesday afternoon in The Ville neighborhood, police said.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said in an afternoon press conference that at about 1 p.m., anti-crime task force officers spotted a stolen Mazda in the Baden neighborhood.
The Mazda, which was reported stolen from St. Louis County, was occupied by two boys younger than 18, Maj. Janice Bockstruck said.
Officers followed the Mazda to the Penrose neighborhood where a third boy got inside.
Bockstruck said officers deployed spike strips on the Mazda and a brief pursuit ensued.
Police said two of the boys left the vehicle and ran from officers in the area of the 4200 block of St. Louis Avenue.
During the foot pursuit, one of the boys turned and pointed a gun at an officer, police said.
A 40-year-old officer who had been on the force for 16 years then shot the boy. He was pronounced dead on the scene, Bockstruck said.
A second boy, who was also armed, ran in another direction, police said. He was arrested and was not injured.
The third boy who was in the backseat was complying with officers, Bockstruck said, adding he did not have a gun.
Police said narcotics were found in the car.
It was unclear if the boy who was killed fired any shots. No officers were injured.
According to 5 On Your Side data, this is the eleventh shooting involving a law enforcement officer in St. Louis this year.
This is a breaking news story. 5 On Your Side will update as soon as information is available.