Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis police have arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend then wounding a police officer in subsequent gunfire.
Police Chief Sam Dotson said the gunfire erupted late Wednesday after a confrontation on the porch of a St. Louis home. Police said in a news release Thursday that the suspect, who has not been identified, fatally shot Maurice Partlow, 40, during a struggle over the weapon.
The woman, Jacara Sproaps, 38, and her 18-year-old son, whose name was not released, tried to flee, but the suspect shot them both. Sproaps was killed and her son, who was shot in the back, was in critical condition in a hospital.
Police said the suspect was upset about a past relationship with Sproaps, who was in a new relationship with Partlow. St. Louis media reported that Sproaps was an elementary school principal in St. Louis.
When officers arrived, the suspect fired at them. One shot struck a police car and another ricocheted and grazed in the leg an officer, who refused medical treatment. The officer who was struck returned fire but didn’t hit the suspect.
The suspect fled but was captured a couple of blocks away and taken into custody.
Police said the investigation continues.
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