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Police search for shoplifting suspect who shot off-duty officer

The officer, who was working as a security officer at the store, was shot in the arm. Two additional shots to the torso were stopped by his body armor

By Carolyn P Smith
Belleville News-Democrat

FERGUSON, Mo. — St. Louis County police are looking for the shop-lifting suspect they say shot an off-duty Ferguson Police officer Sunday morning.

Police are saying the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous

The shooting happened at approximately 7:11 a.m. when the uniformed officer confronted the man on the suspicion that he was shoplifting from the Walmart at 1071 West Florissant Ave. in Ferguson.

The officer, who was working as a security officer at the store, was shot in the arm. Two additional shots to the torso were stopped by his body armor, St. Louis County Police Sgt. Benjamin Granda said in a media release.

https://twitter.com/stlcountypd/status/1229419594454007808

The 35-year old officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries. He has about two and a half years experience in law enforcement.

Granda said the officer was wearing a full police uniform when he was shot.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20 to 25 years of age. He is between 5-foot-6 and 5-8 and weights between 150 and 160 pounds. His hair was braided and in a small ponytail, Granda said.

Granda said the suspect was wearing a green jacket, gray sweatpants, Nike sandals, and black socks when he fled the scene,

Anyone with any information is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department 314-615-4282 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-8477.

©2020 the Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.)

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