Clinton Police Officer Killed in Shooting, Suspect Sought

The Latest on the fatal shooting of a western Missouri police officer during a traffic stop.

9:15 a.m.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a person of interest in the shooting death of a western Missouri police officer is now considered a suspect.

The search continues Monday for 39-year-old Ian McCarthy of Clinton. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe says McCarthy is suspected in the shooting of 37-year-old Clinton police officer Gary Michael during a traffic stop late Sunday.

The car Michael stopped before he was shot is registered to McCarthy.

Court records indicate McCarthy pleaded guilty in November 2013 in Missouri to a misdemeanor driving without a valid license. In July 2015 he was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Court records don't indicate the outcome of that case.

7:30 a.m.

Authorities searched a home but came up empty-handed in the hunt for a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a western Missouri police officer.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe says 39-year-old Ian McCarthy of Clinton is wanted for questioning in the death of 37-year-old Clinton police officer Gary Michael during a traffic stop late Sunday.

Lowe said Monday that the car Michael stopped is registered to McCarthy.

He says the driver jumped out of the car and fired at the officer, who was able to return fire. The suspect drove about three blocks before crashing his car and fleeing on foot. Lowe says Michael was "heroic right to the end."

Michael was a lifelong resident of Clinton and leaves behind a wife and stepsons.

6:50 a.m.

Authorities have identified a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a Missouri police officer.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe says officers are looking for 39-year-old Ian McCarthy of Clinton. He is wanted for questioning in the death late Sunday of 37-year-old Clinton police officer Gary Michael.

Michael was shot during a traffic stop in Clinton. Lowe says the driver got out of the car and shot at Michael, who was able to return fire. The suspect drove away but crashed and fled.

Lowe says it's not clear if the suspect was shot. Authorities believe he is on foot and still in the Clinton area, 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City.

Lowe says Michael was on the Clinton police force for less than a year.

6:15 a.m.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says authorities are looking for a man who shot and killed a western Missouri police officer during a traffic stop.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe told KSHB-TV that Clinton Officer Gary Michael died late Sunday after stopping a driver near Clinton, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City.

Lowe says the driver of a Dodge Nitro got out of the vehicle during the traffic stop and started shooting. He says the 37-year-old Michael returned fire but that the suspect got back into the car and drove off before crashing two blocks away.

Tactical teams have cordoned off the area around the crash and are searching for the suspect Monday.

No further details have been released.