MSHP investigates shooting death after high-speed pursuit

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A suspect who reportedly opened fire on officers during a high-speed pursuit was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon near Poplar Bluff.

The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. on Highway 67 near the intersection of PP Highway, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was involved in a police chase that ended in a crash.

Authorities believe the chase and shooting were connected to an armed robbery at Bart’s Package Store, located on the Arkansas-Missouri state line south of Doniphan. Earlier in the day, a male juvenile allegedly robbed the store at gunpoint and fled in a stolen pickup truck. He led law enforcement on a chase that crossed into Missouri.

“After the robbery, a description had gone out over dispatch, and officers were looking for the vehicle because it was headed in this direction,” Parrott said. “Poplar Bluff Police spotted the vehicle and the pursuit started near M Highway and Highway 67.”

Parrott said the suspect exited the vehicle on Highway 67, north of the PP Highway overpass and fired at officers, prompting them to return fire. The suspect was injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Whether he was killed by officer gunfire or self-inflicted wounds is part of the ongoing investigation, Parrott said.

“We’re looking at everything in order to make our determination,” Parrott explained. “We’re looking at all the bodycam footage and getting all the information together in order to know exactly what happened.”

Since this was an officer-involved shooting, an investigation is being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control at the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s request.