Springfield Police officer killed in a deadly shootout
Five people, including a Springfield police officer, are dead after an overnight shooting at a Kum & Go gas station.
Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said Officer Christopher Walsh was shot and killed while responding to the shooting on E. Chestnut near Highway 65. Officer Josiah Overton was also shot and wounded.
Three people were found dead inside the store. The shooter, who has not been identified, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
KZRG will bring you updates as soon as they become available.
Statement from Police Chief Paul Williams Regarding Fatal Shootings:
The information being released this morning are the confirmed facts we have available at this time and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
On March 15, 2020, at 11:24 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Battlefield Rd. and Lone Pine Ave. regarding a shooting. While en route, multiple shooting calls were received, including one at 2100 S Ingram Mill and another at Sunshine and Hwy 65.
Another call came in at 11:43 and officers were dispatched to the Kum & Go located at 2885 E Chestnut Expressway regarding another shooting. We believe one individual is responsible for each of these incidents. Callers at the Kum & Go reported a vehicle crashing at the scene and an armed suspect entering the store and shooting customers and employees.
Officer Josiah Overton and Officer Christopher Walsh were first to arrive and were immediately fired upon by the suspect.
Other responding officers arrived, removed the two injured officers and made entry into the store where they found the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At the scene, they also located three other deceased individuals and one person with a gunshot wound. That person was transported to a local hospital where they are being treated. Next of kin for the victims have not been notified yet.
The suspect has not yet been positively identified.
Unfortunately, Officer Christopher Walsh suffered a fatal gunshot wound and passed away at the hospital.
Officer Josiah Overton sustained non-life threatening injuries and is being treated at a local hospital.
Officer Overton has been with SPD for two years and Officer Walsh was with SPD for three and a half years and was a U.S. Army veteran who remained active in the Army Reserves.
Both of these officers showed significant bravery and were heroic in their actions. We ask that you respect their families’ privacy at this time. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for the officers’ families and the members of the Springfield Police Department.