This afternoon the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement on the fatal shooting of Vonderrit D. Meyers at the hands of an off-duty, uniformed police officer and subsequent protests in South St. Louis.
The full release reads as follows:
Incident: Officer-Involved Shooting
Location: 4100 block of Shaw
Date/Time: 10/8/14 @ 19:28
Victim: 32-year old white male (St. Louis Police Officer with 6 years of service)
Suspect: Vonderrit D. Myers, Jr., 18-year old black male of the 4200 block of Castleman
The officer was working secondary for a private security company patrolling the Shaw neighborhood. As the officer drove past three males, one of the males began to run, but then stopped. The officer then did a u-turn, and observed the males run from the area. The officer followed the males’ path, through several streets, at one point exiting his vehicle, when he followed one of the males through a gangway. The officer observed the male running and holding his waistband, causing the officer to believe the suspect had a gun. The suspect then began to approach the officer in an aggressive manner. The officer gave the suspect verbal commands, instructing him to surrender. The suspect continued to move toward the officer. The suspect and the officer then got into a physical altercation, with hands on each other. During the altercation, the suspect’s hooded sweatshirt came off of him. The suspect then ran from the officer, up a hill in the 4100 block of Shaw. At this time, the officer saw the suspect was armed with what he believed to be a gun. The officer wanted to be certain what the suspect had was a gun, and did not immediately fire at the suspect. The suspect then turned toward the officer, pointed the gun at the officer and fired at least three rounds. Three projectiles were recovered going toward the officer, down the hill, with ballistic evidence, a bullet in a vehicle, located behind the officer. As the suspect fired at the officer, fearing for his safety, the officer returned fire. As the officer moved toward the suspect, the suspect continued to pull the trigger. Upon recovery of the gun, investigation revealed the gun had malfunctioned and had jammed after firing at least three rounds. As the suspect continued to point the gun toward the officer and pull the trigger, the officer continued to fire shots at the suspect, fatally wounding him. The suspect was pronounced deceased on the scene. The suspect’s 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene. The gun was reported stolen on 9/26/14. Per department policy, the officer has been placed on administrative leave. To clarify, secondary employment allows officers to work security in uniform and carry their department-issued weapons. The officer, while not on duty for the Police Department, still has the same responsibilities and power to affect arrest and the officer operates in the capacity as a St. Louis Police Officer. St. Louis Police Officers work secondary for securities companies, business establishments, sporting events, etc. The Force Investigative Unit responded and is investigating. The investigation is ongoing.
***Three St. Louis Police Department vehicles were damaged during unrest after the above incident.
2011 Tahoe – Damage to left fender and hood, broken tail lights
2013 Tahoe – Broken rear glass and side glass
2007 Marquis – Broken rear glass and driver side mirror, damaged door
***One arrest was made during unrest after the above incident.
Incident: UUW-Felon in Possession
Location: Grand/Russell
Date/Time: 10/9/14 @ 01:00
Suspect #1: 32-year old black male
Suspect #2: 35-year old black male
Officers observed the suspects inside a vehicle putting on ski masks. The officers stopped the vehicle. Suspect #1 was found in possession of a handgun. Investigation revealed Suspect #1 is a convicted felon and was taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing.