Robber shot to death by off-duty police officer in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis police officer moonlighting as a security officer at a restaurant shot and killed a would-be robber early Friday, police said.

The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Brett Holloway of Waynesville, Mo. The officer's name was not released. He is a two-year veteran of the department. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

The incident happened at 1:25 a.m. at a Denny's restaurant in south St. Louis. Police gave this account:

The officer was working a second job as a security guard at the restaurant and was seated at the counter, in his police uniform, when the suspect came in.

Police said Holloway pulled a stocking down over his face, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the officer and workers at the counter. The officer drew his gun and fired several shots at the suspect.

Holloway fell behind the counter still clutching his weapon. The officer ordered him to drop it, but when the suspect refused, the officer fired several more shots.

Holloway was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. He was identified through a driver's license found in a vehicle at the rear of the restaurant.

No customers were inside the restaurant at the time. The officer and employees were not hurt.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Web site, STLtoday.com, reported Holloway was on parole after serving 12 years in prison for several robbery convictions out of St. Louis and St. Louis County.