By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Police are searching for a person of interest following a disturbance in downtown St. Joseph with multiple people involved and a reported display of a firearm.
St. Joseph Police report that around 1:55pm on Friday, officers were sent to the 700 block of Francis Street after receiving reports of a physical altercation involving several people. When arriving at the scene, officers learned a firearm had been displayed during the disturbance and believed the person of interest had left the area in a vehicle before they arrived.
While officers were still gathering information, they located the vehicle reported to be involved by witnesses. To ensure the safety of all involved, police stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Lake Avenue and East Nebraska Avenue. During the stop, a dog exited from the vehicle and aggressively charged at an officer. The officer discharged a firearm, and the dog was fatally struck.
Investigators later determined the person of interest was not inside the vehicle. The individual has been identified but is not in custody.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4777 or submit an anonymous tip through the TIPS Hotline at 816-238-TIPS (8477).
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