Burglary suspect killed by police

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Police shot and killed an 18-year-old burglary suspect after a manhunt led them from Strafford to an apartment complex in Springfield.

Michael Meadows of Strafford was killed Wednesday evening after he allegedly pointed a weapon at a Springfield police officer, said officer Matt Brown, spokesman for Springfield Police Department.

The officer fired two shots at Meadows, Brown said Thursday. Meadows was wanted in connection with two auto thefts and a home burglary in which several weapons were stolen.

Strafford police began investigating those incidents around 5 a.m. Wednesday, then contacted Springfield police after receiving a tip that the their suspect had left town, Strafford Police Chief Justhan Webster said earlier.

Springfield police and Greene County deputies began looking for Meadows at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. They found him more than two hours later near an apartment complex.

"I just saw the police running up and down the street with their guns drawn," said Clifton Cobb, 84, who lives in a house near the shooting scene. "We just thought they might be looking for a dope addict or something."

Area residents said they heard the two shots fired by Officer Gavin Hartsell, a five-year veteran of the police department.

"Our officers are trained -- in any scenario -- that if they are placed in a deadly threat situation to engage the suspect and stop the threat," Brown said. "Our officers are trained not to shoot unless it's a life-or-death scenario."

Brown said Hartsell began lifesaving efforts immediately. Meadows was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed the fatal shot entered Meadows' neck and traveled into his chest, Greene County Medical Examiner Dr. Paul Spence said. Toxicology tests were performed, but the results were not expected for several weeks, he said.

At the request of Police Chief Lynn Rowe, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting, Brown said. Hartsell was placed on administrative leave, in accordance with department policy, until the investigation is completed.

Earlier Wednesday in Kansas City, a 63-year-old man was shot and killed at his apartment building when he advanced toward officers with a knife after repeated orders to drop the weapon.