A St. Louis police officer fatally shot a man brandishing a knife on Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The shooting put many on guard amid racially charged protests in nearby Ferguson, Mo., over the shooting of an unarmed black teen on Aug. 9. This incident, however, seems unrelated.
When police arrived on the scene in St. Louis, the suspect pulled out a knife. The suspect died on the scene after two officers fired their guns, according to the St. Louis police chief.
Officer involved shooting in the sixth district. Suspect brandished knife at @slmpd officers. No officers injured. Investigation is ongoing.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Today @SLMPD officers received a call for a subject who appeared agitated & was armed with a knife. Suspect yelled kill me now & approached.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Officers gave suspect verbal commands. Officers feared for their safety and both officers fired their weapons. Suspect is deceased.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Officers are on administrative duty per department policy. The investigation continues.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Authorities said that the man tried to rob a convenience store, according to Fox 2 Now St. Louis.
Following the shooting, a crowd gathered around the scene (pictured above via Fox Now 2 St. Louis).