Man dead after officer-involved shooting in Joplin
UPDATE:
The deceased individual from this incident has been identified as James L. Fischer, age 58, of Joplin. Next of kin has been notified. An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday, December 28th. Further details may be released as information arises.
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A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin on Christmas Eve. Read portions of a press release from JPD below:
On December 24th, 2023, at 4:26 p.m., the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a report of a suicidal individual at 1611 E. Vandalia Street in Joplin.
During the call, the suicidal individual indicated he was armed with a firearm, made suicidal statements, and requested officers to respond to his address.
As officers arrived on scene, they encountered the individual in the front yard of the address. During the encounter, there were shots fired. The individual suffered gunshot injuries and police rendered medical aid until EMS arrived on scene. The individual was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Identification information is being withheld at this time pending formal notification of next of kin.
The Joplin Police Department confirms that two officers did discharge their weapons during the incident and that no officers were injured.
The involved officers will be placed on paid administrative leave per department policy. Joplin Police Department have also requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate the incident.
Further details will be released at a later time.
Police are asking the public to keep the officers involved in your thoughts and prayers, along with the family and friends of the individual. JPD knows the holiday season can be a stressful time and want to remind everyone that you can call, text, or chat with someone at the Crisis Hotline by dialing or texting 988. Trained crisis specialists are available and can help individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, and/or mental health crises or any other kind of emotional distress.