Crime
Significant Police Presence at St. Louis City Hall Following False Active Shooter Alarm
Earlier today, a large police presence was observed at St. Louis City Hall following the activation of an active shooter alarm, prompting swift action from first responders.
Authorities have since confirmed that the alarm was a false alarm, and there was no threat to public safety.
The incident began when a sensor on the second floor of City Hall was triggered, inadvertently leading to the activation of the building’s active shooter alarm system.
In response, law enforcement and emergency personnel arrived at the scene as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all individuals in the building.
After conducting a thorough assessment of the premises, officials determined that there was no active shooter or danger.
Normal operations at City Hall have since resumed.
Conner Kerrigan, spokesperson for the City of St. Louis, provided the following statement:
“Earlier today, a sensor was activated on the second floor of City Hall, followed by the accidental activation of the active shooter alarm button. As a precautionary measure, first responders quickly arrived on the scene to ensure the safety of all individuals in the building. After a thorough assessment, it was confirmed that there was no active shooter or threat to public safety. City Hall operations have since resumed as normal.
We commend the swift response of our first responders and appreciate the cooperation of staff and visitors during this time. Public safety remains our top priority, and we are reviewing protocols to prevent accidental alarms in the future.”
City officials are actively reviewing the circumstances that led to the alarm’s activation and are exploring measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The City of St. Louis extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and to emergency responders for their professionalism during the incident.
Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Crime
Seven San Antonio Police Officers Shot, Suspect Dead Following Standoff at Sonterra Heights apartment
A violent confrontation at the Sonterra Heights apartment complex on San Antonio’s Far North Side late Wednesday night resulted in seven police officers being shot and the suspect found dead inside his apartment, authorities confirmed.
The incident began just before 9 p.m. when an officer responded to a report of a potential suicide at the complex located off Stone Oak Parkway near North Loop 1604 East.
According to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, the responding officer was met with gunfire upon arrival.
As additional officers arrived on the scene, six more were shot by the suspect, bringing the total number of wounded officers to seven.
All officers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Chief McManus reported that four officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the conditions of the remaining three have not yet been disclosed.
Following the initial gunfire, the suspect barricaded himself inside an apartment, prompting the deployment of the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team.
Authorities worked swiftly to evacuate residents who could safely leave the premises, while others were instructed to remain inside their apartments for their safety.
After an hours-long standoff, SWAT officers breached the apartment around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, where they discovered the suspect deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Chief McManus stated that it remains unclear whether the fatal shot was self-inflicted or the result of return fire from officers.
The suspect, described as a male in his 40s, had a criminal record that included three prior arrests—two for assault and one for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
At the time of the shooting, he was out on bond related to the DWI charge.
The San Antonio Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s motives and whether any additional factors contributed to the deadly encounter.
Chief McManus expressed gratitude to the officers involved and emphasized the dangers law enforcement officers face daily. “This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have had even more tragic consequences,” he said.
Further updates on the conditions of the injured officers and additional details about the investigation will be released as they become available.