Missouri police officer shot dead, another wounded after shooting with gunman

A suspected gunman has been arrested after two officers in Missouri were shot during a 17-hour standoff, with a SWAT team raid.

Authorities confirmed Detective Sergeant Mason Griffiths died at the hospital following the shooting with 35-year-old Kenneth Lee Simpson around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

The second officer to be wounded was identified as Officer Adam Sullentrup, and Simpson barricaded himself in a house across the street from Casey’s General store.

Both were shot by the suspect after a call of a disturbance at the store in Hermann, and police reported that two officers were down after the shooting.

A blue alert was issued on Sunday after Simpson fled the store before barricading himself inside nearby property.

Sullentrup remains in the hospital, in serious but stable condition, according to MSHP Troop F.

Authorities also confirmed that Simpson left the property. with his hands above his head after a 17-hour standoff and was arrested.

Officers repeatedly gave verbal commands for the suspect to leave the scene, and SWAT troopers headed toward the house with flashbangs.

SWAT officers administered tear gas and broke the front window of the home, after a robot was also used in an attempt to penetrate the building.

Court records show that Simpson has been on the run from authorities since April of last year and has a long criminal history, dating back to 2004, with several cases currently pending.

A Casey spokesperson issued the following statement on the incident: ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to the officers involved, their families and everyone at the Hermann Police Department.

‘Our team is grateful for the work these officers do to keep our community safe. Store team members were uninjured and the store is currently closed.

“We are working with authorities to provide any information or assistance they may need as they investigate this incident.”