Three dead, including police officer, in apparent murder-suicide in rural Mississippi County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo., (KBSI) — A law enforcement officer and two other people are dead following what authorities describe as an apparent murder-suicide at a rural home in southeast Missouri.

The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Monday to a residence at 8101 County Road 408, about 20 miles south of the Illinois–Missouri state line, for a report of a missing person.

When deputies arrived, they found one person dead inside the home and secured the scene. Additional law enforcement agencies were requested to assist after information suggested a possible barricaded individual remained inside the residence.

Officials said the suspect later fired at responding officers, striking and killing one law enforcement officer and wounding another. Multiple agencies returned fire and established a perimeter around the property.

After an extended standoff, officers deployed concussion munitions to disorient the suspect before entering the home. Inside, they found the individual dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities said several regional, state and federal agencies assisted at the scene, including Mississippi County Sheriff’s deputies, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, and the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office.

Early Tuesday morning, officers and emergency medical personnel were seen removing two of the deceased from the residence, including the fallen officer.

The names of those involved have not been released pending notification of relatives, and investigators have not confirmed which department the deceased officer served with.

The investigation remains ongoing.