Additional Coverage:
A traffic stop in Missouri on Monday tragically escalated into a deadly exchange, leaving two deputies dead and two others injured before the suspect was killed.
According to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when suspect Richard Bird, 45, allegedly opened fire on law enforcement officers during a traffic stop, killing one deputy before fleeing the scene.
Officials reported that Bird abandoned his pickup truck after the initial encounter on State Highway 160. A Blue Alert was issued by the Missouri Highway Patrol, including an image of the suspect’s vehicle, as authorities launched a search.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole stated that Bird was later located in nearby woods with the assistance of a Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter, which identified a heat source. As deputies approached, Bird allegedly opened fire again.
“The suspect, once deputies were close to him, immediately opened fire on the deputies,” Sheriff Cole told reporters during a press conference, adding, “and three deputies were shot during that time. We have one deputy from Christian County who is deceased from this incident.”
Two other deputies, one from Christian County and one from Webster County, sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the second altercation. Bird continued to fire rounds at deputies until he was fatally shot by law enforcement officers returning fire.