SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- Five people are dead, including a police officer and the suspect, after a shooter opened fire inside a convenience store in southwestern Missouri late Sunday night, authorities said.
The suspect, whose identity and motive remain unclear, was described as a “roving active shooter” as police believe the person fired multiple shots throughout the city of Springfield around 11 p.m., Police Chief Paul Williams told reporters at a news conference Monday morning.
The last of several 911 calls about shots fired came in at 11:43 p.m. when a caller reported that a driver whose car had crashed at a Kum & Go gas station got out of the vehicle, went into the convenience store and began shooting customers and employees, according to police.
Officer Christopher Walsh and another cop arrived at the scene moments later and were immediately struck by gunfire, the chief said.
Walsh, a U.S. Army veteran who had served the Springfield Police Department for more than three years, died at an area hospital. The other officer as well as another civilian who was inside the store suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were being treated Monday.
The shooter was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Williams said it was “still too early” for him and his department to process the news.
“We’re still investigating multiple crime scenes and dealing with grieving the loss of one of our own,” he said.
“Both of these officers showed significant bravery and were heroic in their actions," Williams said. “We ask that you respect their families’ privacy at this time. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for the officers’ families and the members of the Springfield Police Department.”
More information is expected to be released once the victims’ families are notified and police positively identify the shooter.
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