Police in west-central Missouri are searching for a man they say shot and killed an officer during a traffic stop.
Aug. 7 (UPI) — Police in west-central Missouri are searching for a man they say shot and killed an officer during a traffic stop.
Authorities said Ian McCarthy, 39, faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges for the shooting death of Clinton Police Department officer Gary Michael .
The shooting happened about 10: 45 p.m. Sunday when Michael stopped McCarthy in Clinton over an alleged registration violation, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said. After he was pulled over, McCarthy allegedly got out of his vehicle and fired shots at the officer before fleeing in his vehicle.
Police said Michael returned fire, but it’s unclear if any of the bullets hit McCarthy. Emergency officials transported Michael, 37, to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Investigators found the suspect’s crashed vehicle at a nearby intersection; they believe he may still be in Clinton.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Clinton Police Department are searching for McCarthy.
„It’s an unprovoked attack on Officer Michael, “ Lowe told The Washington Post . „We’re trying to hopefully draw this to a conclusion so we can figure out why it happened.“
