Troopers confirm man accused of killing officer in custody

UPDATE: 10:00 p.m.: According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a passerby called in a tip around 6:15 p.m. that someone was walking on the side of Highway U in Henry County. When troopers checked out the tip, they found suspect Ian McCarthy with a gunshot wound.

McCarthy was taken into custody without any problems. He was taken to a Kansas City-area hospital for treatment.

The patrol said it was thrilled McCarthy was in custody and that hopefully McCarthy’s capture could provide some relief to the area’s citizens.

For more on Tuesday night’s press conference, click here.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: The Missouri State Highway patrol confirms the person it has in custody is Ian McCarthy.

Troop A says it will hold a news conference at 9:30p.m. at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office for an update on the search.

ABC 17 News is live in Clinton with the latest updates on how the search ended coming up on ABC 17 News at 9:00p.m.

UPDATE 8:27pm: The Missouri State Highway patrol confirms it has someone in custody amid a manhunt for Ian McCarhty.

McCarthy is accused of shooting and killing Clinton Police Officer Gary Michael Sunday night during a traffic stop.

Troop A tweeted Tuesday evening that a person is in custody. It says it is working to identify that person.

Watch ABC 17 News at 9:00 for a live update from Clinton.

UPDATE 4:00 The search has moved back to Henry County after McCarthy was not found in Chilhowee. ABC 17 News will have a live report tonight on ABC 17 News at 5 on KMIZ.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m. – Law enforcement is focusing Tuesday afternoon on a small town in Johnson County in the manhunt for Ian McCarthy, the man they believe shot and killed Clinton Police officer Gary Michael.

Officers descended on the town of Chilhowee which is about a half hour drive north of Clinton on a tip that McCarthy might be there. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has not confirmed he was seen in that community but there are a number of officers on the scene.

As of Tuesday morning, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A says it has expanded the search to include all of Henry County. Officials say they have also given information about the hunt to other departments and states.

Troopers could been seen patrolling the Clinton area, checking different residents and following up on leads and tips about where McCarthy may be. On Monday, troopers searched 25 school buses looking in every possible place McCarthy may be hiding.

A sergeant with Troop A told ABC 17 News a challenge in this manhunt is that Clinton has a lot of open land and vacant homes and buildings, and they need to be sure they’re checking every location. The highway patrol has gotten calls from residents volunteering to allow troopers to search their land and property for McCarthy.

MSHP said it is a possibility McCarthy hitch-hiked or stole a car to get away from the Clinton area but so far they have not received any reports of stolen vehicles.

Troopers are also looking into McCarthy’s background and known associates to see if he may have gone somewhere familiar to him.

McCarthy is a convicted felon and is not legally allowed to own a firearm. Troopers wouldn’t confirm what type of gun was used in the killing of Michael.

If anyone sees McCarthy, law enforcement advises them not to approach him. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anything who thinks they have seen McCarthy is asked to call 911 or *55 to get to the highway patrol.

An arrest warrant for McCarthy has been issued and the Henry County prosecutor has charged with murder and armed criminal action.