St. Louis police officer dies after being shot in the head

Bohannon had been with the department for three and a half years and leaves behind a wife and three children, according to KMOV4. Bohannon is the first City of St. Louis officer to be killed in the line of duty since 2011.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report that our critically injured officer has died,” the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department tweeted Sunday evening. “We cannot express how much we appreciate the hospital staff who continuously treated both officers for their injuries.”

Police say two officers were responding to a call about a shooting in the south central part of the city. While looking for a shooting victim at a home there, Bohannon was shot in the head.

The second officer was shot in the leg while trying to assist Bohannon. He was later taken to a hospital and released on Sunday.

St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden said the suspect, 43-year-old Thomas Kinworthy, had forced a couple out of their home and barricaded himself inside.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports multiple streets were closed to vehicles and pedestrians, and nearby residents were warned to shelter inside as SWAT officers swarmed the neighborhood. SUVs and officers armed with rifles were positioned outside the house into which Kinworthy retreated.

Police officers used a bullhorn to try and convince the suspect to leave the home. Tear gas was also fired into the house.

After hours of negotiations with the suspect, police arrested and took him into custody early Sunday morning.

Kinworthy has a long criminal history, including a 2001 conviction for aggravated battery with a firearm in Florida.

He is also facing charges of sexual battery and kidnapping for an incident in Florida last year and has been out on bond. A warrant had been issued for his arrest for failing to appear in court for that case. He also has a number of drug and traffic convictions in Missouri.

Police shared a letter from Bohannon’s family, calling him a “hero to many” and asking the public for their prayers and support in the days ahead.

Reactions to Bohannon’s death started pouring in Sunday evening.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson called it “heartbreaking.”

“This is a horrific reminder of the dangers our brave men and women in law enforcement willingly and selflessly face everyday to protect and serve,” Krewson tweeted. “Please keep this officer, his family and friends, and all of @SLMPD in your prayers. A senseless and terrible tragedy.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson also tweeted his condolences and encouraged people to support police using the hashtag #BacktheBlue.

“Our prayers are with his family and all those in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Parson said.

Hayden said eight officers have been shot in the line of duty since June in the city. Escalations in violence and rioting this summer have made it a difficult season for officers, Hayden said.

“Our officers have been going through a lot this summer,” Hayden said. “We’ve had a surge in violence.”

The shooting occurred the same day the widow of the late retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn led a march in the city calling for peace and healing. Dorn, a 38-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was fatally shot outside of a pawn shop in June during looting and rioting in the city.