Suspect in Shoot-Out With Police Dead After Accident

A suspect that led police on a chase through Gentry and DeKalb Counties Thursday night was killed in an accident as he tried to evade law enforcement, according to information from Troop H of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to the information released, at about 10:45 P.M. Thursday, August 20th the Gentry County Sheriff’s Office engaged in a pursuit of a pick-up truck they had tried to stop for a traffic violation. At 11:03 P.M. officers advised shots had been fired from the truck at the pursuing deputy.

Officers say at different points in the pursuit the suspect fired shots at the pursuing deputy who in turn returned fire. The pursuit traveled on multiple roadways in Gentry County and entered DeKalb County where the suspect crashed on Missouri 31 at Fairmont Road

The suspect, identified as 35-year-old St. Joseph resident Shiloh D. Smith, was pronounced dead by the DeKalb County Coroner.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was requested to assist in the on-going investigation.