Berkeley police officer shot, manhunt is on for teen suspect

The suspect had not been found. Police do not think he is in the cemetery.

Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 16-year-old Devante Thomas.

The Post-Dispatch normally does not identify juveniles or people not charged with a crime. In this case, authorities consulted with a juvenile judge before releasing Thomas’ name and determined that his name should be released for public safety reasons. Also, the police officer who was shot had dealt with Thomas before and knew who he was, authorities said. Thomas’ mother was at the scene of a search, but she didn’t want to speak to reporters.

UPDATED: 5:55 p.m.

BERKELEY -- A teen who police believe had run away from home fired shots that struck a police officer this afternoon in Washington Park Cemetery, the police chief has told the Post-Dispatch.

The 16-year-old ran away from the officer near McDonnell Boulevard and Natural Bridge Road about 3:30 p.m.

Berkeley Police Chief Frank McCall Jr. said that officers were investigating "a situation with a runaway juvenile" and that when they approached him, shots were fired and one of his officers was shot.

The officer was shot after the chase crossed the road from an apartment complex to the cemetery. Witnesses said shots were fired by both the police and the teen.

Police do not believe the teen was shot by officers.

The teen fled on foot, and dozens of police are combing the area for him around McKibbon Road and Natural Bridge.

McCall described the suspect as a black male with a dark-brown complexion wearing a white tank shirt.

The chief said that the officer, whom he did not identify, was shot at least once and is in serious but stable condition at a local hospital. McCall said that his officer, who has been on the force for a couple of years, was alert and talking to emergency workers.

"Right now, we are trying to find the shooter," McCall said.

Police at the scene said that officers had attempted to stop the teen near the nearby Madelaine Manor apartment complex. The teen ran from officers, police said. The teen then turned and fired at the officer.

At 5:30 p.m., police were still searching for the teen, who police believe could be hiding in the Washington Park Cemetery just north of Natural Bridge Road. Officers from several jurisdictions, including tactical team members and K-9 units, surrounded the area. A police helicopter hovered above.

"If the individual is in there, he's definitely trapped in there," said St. Louis County police spokesman Rick Eckhard, whose agency is assisting with the search. "There's no reason to believe that he's not (in the cemetery)."

Natural Bridge Road is shut down from about Interstate 170 to McDonnell Boulevard while the search is continues.

Nearby residents said they saw the beginning of the incident take place.

Niketea Steward said a police officer attempted to stop a teen at the apartment complex, but the teen took off across Natural Bridge Road. A foot chase began, then Steward heard a barrage of gun shots.