Global Courant 2023-04-29 07:46:21
A St. Louis police officer is shot and injured during a mental health check at an apartment complex
ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis police officer was shot and injured Friday afternoon during a welfare check on a man whose family members were concerned about his mental health, law enforcement officials said.
The 44-year-old officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulders but was conscious and alert, St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said Friday night at a news conference outside the hospital where the 15-year veteran was being treated.
“These injuries could have been worse,” Tracy said. “And thank goodness they weren’t.”
The shooting took place around 4:30 p.m. in an apartment complex west of downtown. Officers were called there to check on a 71-year-old man who family members say was not taking his medications and was delusional, the police chief said.
At one point during the welfare check, the man pulled out a gun concealed in his clothing and opened fire, hitting one of the officers, Tracy said. Other officers struggled with the man while holding him down, and at least one of them suffered a cut on the hand during the scuffle, he said.
The suspect also suffered a hand injury during the struggle and was taken to another hospital, Tracy said. He did not name the man or say what charges he could face.
Friday’s shooting follows a February shooting that seriously injured two St. Louis police officers south of downtown as they pursued a 36-year-old man wanted for robbery.
“This is the second time in two months I’ve been to this hospital,” Tracy said Friday as he expressed his gratitude to the hospital staff.
(TagsToTranslate)Mental Health
St. Louis officer shot during mental health struggles
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