ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A St. Louis police officer who was a “hero” to his family died Sunday after being shot in the head by a barricaded gunman on the city’s south side, authorities said.
Officer Tamarris L. Bohannon, 29, had been with the department for 3.5 years.
A second officer who was shot in the leg was treated and released after the shooting around 6 p.m. (midnight ET) in the South Grand neighborhood near Tower Grove Park, St. Louis Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Woodling said.
Woodling said the second officer is 30 and has been on the force about six months. The 43-year-old suspect was taken into custody Sunday morning, Woodling said.
Mayor Lyda Krewson said in a statement Sunday night that she was “heartbroken” at Bohannon’s death. “I’ve had the privilege of spending some time with his family under these extraordinarily challenging circumstances. They’re wonderful people and immensely proud of the way he selflessly served and protected our community with distinction and honor for more than three years.”
“This is a horrific reminder of the dangers our brave men and women willingly face every day to keep us safe ... This is a terrible, senseless tragedy.”
A photo of a note police said came from Bohannon’s family was posted on the department’s Twitter page after the announcement of his death. “He is a hero to many, but most importantly to his loving wife and three incredible children,” read the note that referred to Bohannon as “Bo” and asked for “prayers and support in the days ahead.”
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden said the gunman ordered a family out of their home at gunpoint and barricaded himself inside for almost 12 hours.
Officers were searching for another reported shooting victim when the gunman shot Bohannon in the head and the other officer in the leg, Hayden said.
The officers were “trying to do their job, that’s all they’re trying to do and they’re suffering under gunfire,” Hayden said, adding that the incidents are part of “a surge in violence” this summer. He asked residents to pray for the officers.
Hayden said eight of his officers have been shot in the line of duty since June 1.
“We’re trying to cope through a very trying summer, and it’s very difficult. It’s very difficult,” he said.
While the man was barricaded inside, officers armed with rifles and a SWAT team assembled outside. Police closed surrounding streets and warned residents to stay inside. Police used a bullhorn to order the suspect out and fired tear gas into the house, but fired no gunshots, the department said.
The man was taken into custody around 5:30 a.m. Police have released no details about how the standoff came to an end.
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