ST. LOUIS – An officer fired shots from inside a vehicle Friday afternoon after the driver of a stolen car sped toward the officer in an alley, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Police say the stolen vehicle had been wanted in connection with an earlier assault on officers in a nearby jurisdiction. No injuries were reported from the shots fired, and no arrests have been reported at this time.
SLMPD Major Janice Bockstruck offered a preliminary timeline events leading up to the shots fired during a news conference.
Around 1:30 p.m., SLMPD’s anti-crime detectives located a stolen vehicle in the 5100 block of Ridge Avenue in St. Louis’ Academy/Sherman Park neighborhood. The vehicle was wanted in connection with an alleged assault on law enforcement in another jurisdiction.
Detectives began investigating and observed an individual exiting the vehicle. That individual briefly walked to the front porch of a nearby residence.
As detectives approached the individual, the individual ran into a rear alley and reentered the stolen vehicle. According to Bockstruck, that individual accelerated at a high rate of speed toward an officer inside a vehicle, who was stopped in a vehicle in the alley.
At that moment, the officer fired shots, which possibly came in response to the approaching stolen vehicle.
Moments later, the stolen vehicle turned and continued into a vacant yard.
Shortly after that, the vehicle was located unoccupied by Metro Air Support. Police have not disclosed that exact location at this time.
Police are still believed to be searching for the individual and any evidence relevant to the scene.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Force Investigation Unit has been notified, as per protocol in all officer-involved shootings.
Developing Story. Check back for updates.
