Ian James McCarthy, 39 years old of Clinton, Missouri, was taken into custody the night of Aug. 8, 2017, after a two-day manhunt. He was wanted for the murder of Officer Gary Michael on Sunday, Aug. 6.
McCarthy was spotted walking on the highway in Henry County, Missouri, according to a driver, who called it into police, according to Sgt. Bill Lowe of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. McCarthy was not armed and was arrested without incident, 12 miles southeast from where he shot Officer Michael.
He was taken to Kansas City Hospital for a gunshot wound he incurred before he was caught, then transported to Henry County Jail.
Officer Michael pulled McCarthy over around 10:45 p.m. ET, on Sunday in downtown Clinton, due to suspected registration violation. When Officer Michael exited his vehicle, the suspect also got out of his vehicle, shot the officer, and fled the scene. McCarthy crashed into an embankment four blocks away, then continued on foot.
The officer returned fire but was unsure if he struck McCarthy. Before shots were fired, Michael was able to describe the suspect’s vehicle and license plate.
Officer Michael called “Shots fired! Officer down!” Moments later, he went into cardiac arrest. When fellow officers arrived at the scene, another officer can be heard stating the bullet had penetrated through his vest, and he was shot with a long gun. Michael was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Officer Michael was the first police officer in Clinton, Missouri to be killed in the line of duty. He had been with the department for less than a year.
His brother Chris Michael said, “My brother was a light to the world, one man’s bad decision took that light from the world.”
More than 100 law enforcement officers were searching for McCarthy in a manhunt that spanned into the western part of the state. The search was difficult because of the varying terrain.
McCarthy was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action.
McCarthy previously served fours years in prison in New Hampshire for first-degree assault and a parole violation. He has a four-year-old warrant from New Hampshire for failing to appear in court on a disorderly conduct charge.
McCarthy also has a warrant from Johnson County, Missouri for unlawful possession of a fire arm.
Governor Eric Greitens said, “Our hearts still hang heavy this evening. Officer Michael family and his department still grieve, and the entire state of Missouri joins them in their grief.”
Officer Michael leaves behind a wife and stepchildren.
Written by Nicole Thompson
Edited by Jeanette Smith
Sources:
CNN: Suspect in killing of Missouri Police Officer is captured
The Washington Post: An Alert driver’s tip helped end a two-day manhunt in Missouri for an alleged cop killer
The Sacramento Bee: The latest: Man charged with killing Missouri Cop Arrested
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of John Russell’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License