The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman whose dead body was found in a pickup after a man was shot by Crystal City Police.
Clara B. Blaxton, 45, of northeast Arkansas was found in the Dodge Ram on Dec. 8 following the shooting near the Crystal City Center plaza on Truman Boulevard. The cause of Blaxton’s death is still under investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the man who was shot as they continue to investigate the incident with the help of the FBI and law enforcement agencies in Arkansas. The man who was shot was in critical condition as of Monday, police reported.
Investigators believe the woman and the man who was shot were in a relationship, the Sheriff’s Office said.
According to information released during a press conference involving Crystal City Police Chief Chad Helms, Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel and Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak, officers responded to a call about 11:10 a.m. Dec. 8 for shots fired on the parking lot of the White Castle restaurant, 1000 Veterans Blvd. (Hwy. A), in Festus. Police chased the suspect driving the Ram east on Hwy. A.
Wendel reported that Festus and Crystal City officers attempted to stop the Ram, which continued south on Truman Boulevard, struck a concrete median and spun around before stopping in front of the Crystal City Center plaza.
Helms said the suspect, who was wearing body armor, exited the pickup holding multiple weapons. He said two Crystal City officers attempted to get the man to drop the weapons.
Marshak said the encounter turned into a “police-involved shooting” leading to the wounding of the suspect. Helms said officers were not injured in the incident.
The man was taken for treatment at an area hospital, authorities reported.
The two police officers involved in the shooting of the man were placed on administrative leave while the investigation is completed, according to Crystal City officials.