Kenneth Lee Simpson killed Detective Mason Griffith
Kenneth Lee Simpson appears in a mugshot after he allegedly killed an officer in Herman, Mo. (Missouri State Highway Patrol) over the weekend.
A Missouri man on the run from law enforcement was taken into custody Monday after allegedly shooting and killing a police officer and wounding another over a long weekend.
Kenneth Lee Simpson, 35, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed felonies, first-degree assault on a particular victim and wrongful possession of a weapon, according to court documents obtained by the Columbia, Missouri-based NBC/CW affiliate KOMU have been obtained.
The charges were filed in Gasconade County and stem from a call about an angry person at Casey’s General Store around 9 p.m. Sunday in Hermann, about 80 miles west of St. Louis.
Officials determined that the suspect had multiple warrants from Show-Me State’s Warren and Franklin counties, one of which was identified as a statewide extradition warrant.
“Simpson began backing away from officers as they approached to make the arrest,” the court document said. “Simpson turned away from the officers and pulled a pistol from his right side with his right hand. Simpson immediately pointed the gun at the officers and began firing.”
Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith, 34, and Officer Adam Sullentrup, 31, were shot dead.
Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith, left, was killed March 12, 2023. Officer Adam Sullentrup, right, was wounded. (Police Herman)
Griffith died in a hospital. Sullentrup is in serious but stable condition, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F said opinion On Monday.
Awards for the slain officer have been given out across social media across the country, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help Griffith’s family.
“He knew from the age of 12 that he wanted to be a police officer,” says his obituary. “He joined the Bourbon Police Explorers in 2001 and was also a Boy Scout. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, kayaking and everything outdoors.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tweeted.
“Hermann Police Department Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith will never be forgotten, and Missouri will always be grateful,” he said. “Teresa and I are praying for Mason’s family, friends and law enforcement colleagues.”
The New York Police Department Tweeted.
“We stand with the Hermann Police Department as they mourn the loss of Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith, who was shot while responding to a disturbance call,” the agency said. “Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and associates.”
The St. Louis County Police Department tweeted“He will never be forgotten.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Hermann Missouri Police Department Det. Sergeant Mason Griffith, who was killed on duty last night.”
A standoff ensued after the shooting. During the standoff, a police robot removed the front screen door, a drone entered the apartment, and tear gas was fired inside. Almost 14 hours later, Simpson surrendered. He has a criminal record dating back to 2004, Fox News reported. He is said to have been there since 2022. Court documents claim that Simpson planned to die in a “suicide by a police officer” at the supermarket, KOMU reported.
A videographer from St. Louis-based NBC affiliate KSDK captured the suspect’s dramatic arrest on video:
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY —
Video shot by @tonychambers shows 35-year-old Kenneth Lee Simpson being arrested at 2pm today, after a 16-hour standoff with police.
Simpson is accused of shooting two police officers last night. @ksdknews pic.twitter.com/6eyASi60H6
— Mercedes Mackay (@MercedesMackay_) March 13, 2023
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/fugitive-arrested-after-allegedly-killing-cop-in-store-before-standoff-with-state-troopers/ Kenneth Lee Simpson killed Detective Mason Griffith