Two Dead After Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Louis County

St. Louis Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Two individuals are dead after an officer-involved shooting in St. Louis County Friday following a high speed chase and vehicle crash.

The incident began when the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) alerted the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) that 33-year-old Ryan D. Phillips, of St. Louis, was traveling toward the St. Louis area from Texas in a red Range Rover. Texas authorities expressed concerns for the safety of a passenger, 30-year-old Delisha D. Evans of Princeton, Texas, who was believed to be with Phillips.

At 5:35 p.m., Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers spotted the vehicle on eastbound Interstate 44 near Missouri Highway 141 and attempted a traffic stop. Phillips fled, leading troopers on a chase that continued eastbound on Interstate 44, before exiting at Elm Street and proceeding to South Rock Hill Road. The pursuit ended when Phillips crashed, causing the vehicle to overturn on Rock Hill Road at Pardee Road. Shortly after the crash, gunfire was reported.

Preliminary investigations indicate that troopers fired their weapons, and a firearm was recovered from the crash scene. Both Phillips and Evans were found deceased inside the vehicle. No other injuries were reported, and the exact causes of their deaths are pending the results of autopsies.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. Upon completion, the findings will be submitted to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney for review.