Man fires at Washington Park officer during traffic stop, police say. Officer returns fire

A Missouri man is being held in the St. Clair County Jail after being accused of shooting multiple rounds at a Washington Park Police officer who was attempting to pull over a speeding vehicle Wednesday night.

The officer was not injured, nor was the man when the officer returned fire, said Washington Park Detective Marlon Manuel.

The man has not been charged so his identity has not been released. The police officer’s name also was not released.

Manuel gave the BND a brief synopsis of the incident.

Manuel said the officer was in his police car when he saw a black Cadillac with tinted windows speeding along North 55th Street.

“The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop,” Manuel said. “The vehicle pulled to the opposite side of the road. The passenger exited the vehicle and began shooting multiple rounds at our officer.

“ The officer ducked down in his vehicle to avoid the bullets. Then, he returned fire at the suspect who was out of the vehicle and running,” said Manuel.

“The suspect continued to run through an alley behind the church. Our officer spotted him. The suspect fell on the ground, got up and attempted to fire at the officer again, shooting approximately four to five times.”

The suspect ran to the 5600 block of North Park Drive. Other police agencies heard the officer on the radio saying he was fired upon, and they rushed to the scene to assist.

The Brooklyn Police Department brought its dog in, and the suspect’s weapon was recovered.

Manuel said it was a 9mm Glock with a large drum barrel attached to it.

Shortly after locating the weapon, police found the suspect lying on the ground on a pallet in the 5600 block of North Park Drive.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. The suspect is believed to be about 26 years old.