ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Police have released more information on Monday's early morning officer involved shooting.
Second District officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at 11:20 Sunday night in the 6800 block of Balson. Police were met by a man and woman who said the man in the house was having mental issues. The 30-year old man allegedly retrieved a rifle then threatened the female victim.
The male victim got an ax in defense of the suspect, who then went to the basement and fired a shot through the first floor. Both victims left the house and the suspect fired a shot at them. They were not injured.
Police then called in SWAT and hostage negotiators, but the suspect would not talk and that prompted police to evacuate nearby residents from their homes.
Police say the suspect's house became engulfed in flames with him partially hanging out of a second story window and pointing the rifle at officers.
Five officers then fired on the suspect, he fell out of the window. Police say he was immediately moved from the front of the house because of the fire and transported to the hospital.
The suspect was rushed into surgery with gunshot wounds to his forearm and back of the head. He is in critical/stable condition.
Police recovered the rifle. The Force Investigation Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.
