An Arnold Police officer shot a male 17-year-old this afternoon (Feb. 8), after the teenager allegedly drove a car toward police outside the Lowe’s home improvement store in Arnold, Chief Bob Shockey said.
He said the teen appeared to have been grazed in the abdomen by a bullet fired by an officer, and the suspect was taken to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County, where he was treated and released to police.
Shockey said he does not know where the teen is from.
No officers or other people were hurt in the incident, Shockey said.
At about 3 p.m., officers went to the store and found the teen, who was suspected of selling drugs in a car on the parking lot, Shockey said.
He said officers ordered the teen to get out of his car, but instead he allegedly revved his engine.
Shockey said he did not know what kind of car the teen was driving.
The teen allegedly drove at an officer, who shot at the car while getting out of the way. The car slammed into a police cruiser behind the officer, Shockey said.
He said the suspect then put the car in reverse and allegedly tried to hit another officer. The officer behind the car also shot at the suspect, who then crashed into a parked car on the lot.
The teen reportedly tried to drive away, but the car he was driving broke down on a road the runs through the Arnold Commons shopping plaza, Shockey said.
After the teen was released from the hospital, he was taken to the Arnold Police Station, Shockey said.
He said Arnold Police will seek charges against the teen through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.