AFFTON, Mo. — A man and woman from Texas died after the SUV they were in rolled over and crashed during a pursuit and shots were fired in Affton Friday night, authorities said.
According to Cpl. Logan Bolton with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety informed MSHP that a wanted 33-year-old man was heading to the St. Louis area in a red Range Rover. The man was identified Friday night as Ryan Phillips.
Authorities were concerned for the safety of a woman believed to be with the suspect, identified as Delisha Evans, 30.
Missouri troopers spotted the SUV shortly after 5:30 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 44 near Missouri Route 141. Troopers began a pursuit after the driver refused to pull over.
The SUV exited onto South Elm Avenue and continued onto South Rock Hill Road. The pursuit ended in a rollover crash near Pardee Road.
A few moments later, two troopers at the scene advised shots had been fired.
Phillips and Evans were both pronounced dead at the scene. Bolton said the exact cause of their deaths is under investigation. State police confirmed a trooper fired his weapon. A gun was also recovered next to the Range Rover. The preliminary investigation revealed that a trooper shot his firearm but did not immediately confirm whether shots were fired at the troopers.
There were no injuries to law enforcement.
Police in Princeton, Texas, had activated a Critical Missing Person alert Friday morning. Police and fire crews were called to a structure fire and learned that Evans was missing from the residence. Police believed she was in danger.
Princeton police said Phillips was the primary suspect in her disappearance. License plate readers helped locate Phillips' SUV in St. Louis County, which initiated the pursuit.
This is an ongoing investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.
Resources for those experiencing domestic violence:
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003. You can also text that number from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge.
Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments also has a crisis line at 314-993-2777. ALIVE also has hotline specifically for those in Franklin County at 800-941-9144.
The Women's Safe House can be reached 24 hours a day at 314-772-4535.