ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis police officer shot a man during a struggle Thursday morning after the man resisted arrest, then tried to reach for a gun, Police Chief John Hayden said. The man later died at the hospital.
The deadly encounter occurred just before 1:00 a.m. in the 4000 block of Garfield and Vandeventer in the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood. Officers were patrolling the area, which is known for drug activity, according to police.
Chief Hayden said one officer approached a car and found the driver had marijuana on his lap. As a result, the officer tried to get the driver out of the vehicle. However, police met resistance and a struggle took place.
Next, authorities said the officer attempted to use a Taser. However, it did not have the desired effect. Moreover, the officer witnessed the suspect reaching to retrieve a gun from his pocket, reported Fox 2 St. Louis.
Consequently, one round was fired and hit the suspect in the chest, according to police. The combative man was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Furthermore, police revealed that a 7-year-old child was in the car at the time of the scuffle. The child jumped out of the automobile and ran to her mother during the incident. That child was unharmed.
A loaded revolver was found at the scene and recovered as evidence.
Police have not released the identity of the decedent. The unidentified officer who won the battle for his life is 28-years-old with four years of police service. The second unidentified officer is 24 -years-old with two years of service.
Police confirmed that no officers were injured.
