Deputy-Involved Shooting Leaves Trespassing Suspect Dead

A deputy-involved shooting at a Richwoods convenience store left a trespassing subject dead Sept. 10.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, David M. Peter, 36, was pronounced dead on scene. A deputy sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. 

Around 10:45 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Roy’s Convenience Store for a trespassing complaint. The reporting party was a store employee who said Peter was trespassing on the property and wanted him to leave.

Deputies approached the suspect, who was sitting in his truck. After giving a fake name to deputies, Peter was asked to exit his vehicle. Peter allegedly refused and started the vehicle, putting it in drive and trying to leave.

The deputy tried to put the vehicle in park, but Peter accelerated forward with the deputy partially inside.

Peter struck one deputy’s patrol vehicle, pinning the deputy between it and his own vehicle.

The deputies said they feared for their safety and fired at Peter. Peter’s vehicle then struck a second patrol vehicle.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting.