Motive sought for shooting of two Ameren workers in Jackson; shooter took his own life

Jackson police are searching for a motive in the shooting of two Ameren utility workers this morning, said chief James Humphreys.

The shooting occurred around 10 a.m., at the Ameren substation near Center Junction in Jackson, where Interstate 55 intersects Jackson Boulevard.

The shooter opened fire on Ameren employees working at the substation, then fled the scene in a small maroon Chevrolet truck, Humpreys said.

Two Ameren employees were injured in the shooting and transported to a nearby hospital, Humphreys said.

Police believe some Jackson sanitation workers spotted the truck and alerted police of its location, allowing them to stop the vehicle at Ridge Road.

Before police could make an arrest, the suspected shooter took his own life with what is believed to be the same 12-gauge shotgun used in the shooting, Humpreys said.

Not much is known at this time about the deceased shooter, but he appeared to be in his mid-20s, Humphreys said.

His name has not been released pending a positive identification and notification of all family members, Humphreys said.

"At this point we have no motive; we don't understand why he has done this," Humphreys said.

An autopsy has been set for Sunday in Farmington, said Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton.

Reported earlier:

A person was shot near Center Junction and the suspect turned the gun on himself a few minutes later when confronted by Jackson police.

The shooting victim, who police did not identify either by name or gender, was shot near the AmerenUE substation just west of Center Junction, officers said. The suspect, who was driving a maroon Chevy S10, was found after a brief manhunt.

When police confronted the man, he turned the gun on himself.

The Cape Girardeau County coroner has been notified but no other details were available at 10:25 a.m.

For more information, check back at semissourian.com or read Saturday's Southeast Missourian.