ST. LOUIS — A suspect was critically injured Monday morning after being shot by the SWAT team.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the incident happened late Sunday night at a home in the 6800 block of Balson Avenue. A call regarding a domestic disturbance came to police at about 11:30 p.m.
When officers arrived, they found the home on fire and the suspect, a 30-year-old man, armed with a rifle, barricaded inside.
Two witnesses, a 41-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, told officers they were inside the home with the suspect when he retrieved the gun and began threatening the woman. The man then grabbed an ax for defense. They said the suspect went into the basement of the home and fired a shot through the first floor, and that's when the pair ran from the home.
Police upgraded the call to a "shots fired" incident after the two witnesses tipped off police that the suspect was armed and dangerous. The SWAT team was then mobilized.
Police said the suspect fired multiple shots in the home and, at one point, barricaded himself on the second floor before hanging his body partially outside of a window. He pointed his gun at the SWAT team, and that's when about five SWAT team members opened fire on the man.
Struck by gunshots in his right forearm, neck and the back of his head, the man fell out of the second-story window. He was taken to a local hospital and rushed to surgery. He was listed in critical condition and his vitals were stable.
No other injuries were reported.
Police were still investigating the incident Monday morning and said they were unsure if the suspect fired shots at officers. The five SWAT team members were all City of St. Louis police officers:
- A 33-year-old man with 9 years of service on the force
- A 36-year-old man with 4 years of service
- A 46-year-old man with 4 years of service
- A 46-year-old man with 13 years of service
- A 29-year-old man with 6 years of service
Police evacuated neighbors in the area when they found out the man was armed, and Manchester Avenue remained closed until about 5 a.m. as police investigated the scene.
This is a breaking news story. 5 On Your Side will update it as more information becomes available.
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