Suspect in deadly chase has domestic violence history

A deadly chase that ended in Illinois late Tuesday began after a shooting in Jefferson City, police said Wednesday, and the man who died has a history of domestic violence.

Jefferson City police said in a news release that officers were sent Tuesday night to calls of a shooting in the 500 block of East Elm Street and found shell casings and broken glass.

A deputy in eastern Missouri’s Franklin County saw the blue SUV witnesses described at the shooting scene and a chase began that went through St. Louis County, the city of St. Louis and ended in Illinois, Jefferson City police said.

Leslie K. Austin, 39, of Jefferson City, led police on a chase after he kidnapped Danielle L. Smith, 33, and a juvenile, according to Captain Timothy Tyler, District 11 commander with Illinois State Police.

Smith and the child were able to escape the vehicle on Illinois Highway 140. Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the process, police said. She is expected to survive, according to Illinois State Police.

Austin allegedly shot and killed Gregory Price, 67, while attempting to hijack a vehcile in the process.

Austin died during gunfire with police, but police do not know if it was from returned fire or self inflicted. Smith remained hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday.

ABC 17 News confirmed with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C that the incident started in Jefferson City.

The Bond County Sheriff’s Department said in their press release Austin reportedly shot at officers during the chase.

The Bond County Sheriff’s Department said deputies used stop sticks on the vehicle on Illinois Route 140 near Bond and Madison County.

Illinois State Police pursued the vehicle at low speeds after the stop sticks were used.

ABC17 News has contacted the Jefferson City Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to verify where the shooting happened.

Austin has a criminal record going back at least to 2008 including various assault charges and vehicle theft. The first criminal case that mentions Smith, the woman kidnapped Tuesday night, was a domestic assault case in 2013 in which Austin was accused of punching her and threatening her life because he didn’t like her earrings.

He was also charged with domestic assault against Smith in 2014. Court records also show Smith was given full custody of a child she shared with Austin and has applied for several protection orders, including one that wouldn’t have expired until next year.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified described Austin as “a very quiet individual, kept to himself, well-mannered, well-spoken.”