Helmet Saves Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper Struck by Gunfire During Riots

ST. LOUIS -- A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was saved by his riot helmet after it was struck by gunfire while responding to the riots in downtown St. Louis Monday night.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol shared photos Tuesday night of a trooper's riot helmet that had a bullet hole through its face shield, according to KSDK-TV.

Officials said that the trooper was wearing the helmet and driving when someone shot into his vehicle.

"Last night, a @MSHPTrooperGHQ Trooper responding to rioting in St Louis narrowly averted serious injury," the Missouri State Highway Patrol wrote in the Twitter post. "A bullet penetrated his moving vehicle & face shield of the riot helmet on his head. The Patrol continues to protect Missourians tonight & every night no matter the risks."

Following the violence and looting that took place Monday night, a 9 p.m. curfew was set for St. Louis and most of the city remained quiet Tuesday night, according to reports.

"There are so many businesses, it’s impossible to protect them all at the same time, so what we do is we try to protect ourselves as we’re protecting businesses, but it is very difficult when you have 300 people running around all over the place,” St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden told the news station.