2 Missouri sheriff’s deputies fatally shot, 2 others wounded, authorities say

HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Two Missouri sheriff’s deputies were fatally shot, one during a traffic stop and the other hours later during an exchange of gunfire with the suspect, who was also killed, authorities said.

Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said the initial shooting happened during a traffic stop south of Highlandville on Monday in southwest Missouri, news outlets reported.

About 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers helped with the search for the suspect, Cole said. He says U.S. Marshals and FBI and ATF agents were also involved.

The suspected shooter’s truck was found abandoned several miles south near Reeds Spring and law enforcement officers searched the area nearby, Cole said. Early Tuesday, after a heat signature was detected in the woods, deputies moved in. Cole said the suspect opened fire, striking three deputies.

One Christian County deputy was killed and two other deputies, from Christian and Webster counties, were wounded with injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening, Cole said. Law enforcement officers on the scene returned fire and the suspect was killed, he said.

Cole identified the deputy killed in the initial shooting as Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.

“Deputy Ramirez was always kind to everybody, Cole said. “He was always a friend, was always there for anybody who needed a shoulder to lean on.”