Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Suspect killed himself in shootout with O’Fallon police, authorities say

07.21.2009 6:20 pm
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Maurice L. Johnson

Maurice L. Johnson

O’FALLON, MO. - The gunshot that killed Maurice L. Johnson last month during a shootout with police was self-inflicted, a pathologist with the medical examiner’s office said today.

Dr. Kamal Sabharwal said Johnson, 30, of Wentzville, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head the morning of June 1 during an encounter with police.

Sabharwal would not elaborate on Johnson’s death or whether Johnson suffered any other injuries in the shooting until his report is released to police.

O’Fallon police spokeswoman Diana Damke declined comment without reviewing the medical examiner’s report.

Six police officers had gone to Johnson’s ex-girlfriend’s apartment in the first block of Millcreek Parkway about 9 a.m. after a 911 caller asked police to check on her.

Soon after, Johnson’s ex-girlfriend arrived home and let O’Fallon police inside her apartment. Four officers left, but two stayed behind to investigate.

Police were standing in two bedrooms when Johnson sneaked through the back door, saw police and pulled a gun from his waistband, police have said. Johnson and two O’Fallon officers exchanged gunfire as he tried to escape.

In an interview, a witness has told the Post-Dispatch he saw Johnson fire at least three shots toward police after officers had ordered him to drop his gun.

Johnson had municipal arrest warrants for domestic assault. Court records say Johnson had finished probation after pleading guilty in 2006 to domestic assault and violating a previous protection order, both misdemeanors.

Johnson and his ex-girlfriend had three children, all younger than 10.

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