Who is Kenneth Lee Simpson? Suspected shooter kills Missouri police officer Mason Griffith, injures another, manhunt launched

A manhunt was launched following a Blue Alert from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, for a suspected shooter who reportedly killed one Missouri police officer and reportedly injured another.

Just before 9:20 p.m. Sunday, Hermann Police Department Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith and another officer were shot outside a general store in Hermann, according to FOX 2 in St. Louis. MSHP was asked to investigate the incident and they identified Kenneth Lee Simpson, 35, as the shooter who fled the scene on foot.

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Who is Kenneth Lee Simpson?

Kenneth Lee Simpson, who is from Eureka, St. Louis County, reportedly has a long criminal history that dates back to 2004. This includes several current pending cases. Since April 2022, Simpson has been on the run from authorities.

After receiving information that Simpson barricaded himself inside a home just across the street from where the shooting took place, Investigators surrounded the area. However, it was not confirmed that Simpson was indeed inside the house.

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According to media present at the scene, a bullhorn was sounded outside of the house and someone could be heard saying, “Come out with your hands up and nothing will happen to you.” Soon after, one of the offers was shot in the head and another in the chest. Both of them were transported to the hospital.

Detective Sergeant Griffith was critically injured and died at the hospital. The second officer who was shot and injured has not been identified. He was reported to be in a serious but stable condition.