The Associated Press
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- A 29-year-old St. Louis County man shot his stepdaughter and attacked neighbors, then died after struggling with police.
Police on Thursday identified the suspect as Ernest Blackwell. Officers used several means to try and subdue Blackwell, including shooting him twice with a Taser during a 10-minute struggle. Paramedics eventually sedated him and put him in an ambulance. He died on the way to the hospital.
“I am proud of these officers for their courageous and selfless actions,” Police Chief Jerry Lee said. “I knew from talking with the officers involved on scene that this was a very intense and prolonged struggle to make the arrest. I commend them for their appropriate and timely response.”
The man’s 9-year-old stepdaughter and two neighbors -- a 14-year-old girl and her mother -- suffered serious injuries. Four police officers were also treated for injuries.
Police were initially called to the scene for a traffic hazard when an officer learned of the disturbance. The officer said he found Blackwell assaulting a female resident inside a home.
Police said Blackwell began assaulting the officer and tried to take his gun from his holster, before additional officers arrived.
Police said they used a Taser and sedatives after Blackwell continued to resist arrest. Blackwell was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.
Officers said Blackwell had entered a home, taken a shotgun, and shot his stepdaughter in the chest. He then went two houses down and physically assaulted the 14-year-old and her mother, police said.
Both girls remained in intensive care Thursday.