NORTH ST. LOUIS (KMOX Radio) -- St. Louis police say an undercover unit tracking a stolen truck ended up shooting and killing two suspects, after the truck flipped on its side and the suspects climbed out arming themselves with semi-automatic pistols.
It happened around midnight at Clara and Wabada. Lt. Col. Alfred Adkins says members of the Tactical Operations Division's Anti-Crime Unit attempted a tactical maneuver by spiking the tires.
"They deflated a couple of the tires, " Adkins said, "The vehicle continued to roll and made a couple of stops, but continued to roll on. It drove into an alley where it overturned and the occupants of the vehicle began to arm themselves as officers approached."
That's when police started shooting, Adkins said. "When the subjects were arming themselves, when they were pulling up their weapons at the officers, that's when the officers were forced to defend themselves, "Adkins said.
Adkins says two of the suspects were shot dead at the scene, a third taken to the hospital with injuries. No officers were hurt.
The suspects did not fire any shots at police and police fired about eight shots total, Adkins said.
Police say the suspects were armed with semi-automatic pistols. Three were recoverd at the scene. Police were armed with 9mm berettas.
Adkins described the suspects as "known police characters" with a "lengthy police records."
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