Route E open after Callaway County Sheriff’s Office says search for armed man ended in suicide
CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office says the search for an alleged armed man who ran away during a traffic stop has been resolved, after he died by suicide.
The law enforcement agency wrote on its social media on Thursday night that it is looking for a man near Route E, East of County Road 245, in an area west of Auxvasse.
An overnight update from the agency, posted around 1:45 a.m., states that a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic-related offense at 7:28 p.m. on State Road E near County Road 271. The vehicle did not stop and traveled on various county and state roads.
At 7:37 p.m. Thursday, the vehicle stopped in the 5600 block of State Road E in the front yard of a home. The suspect, later identified as Joseph Fennewald, ran into the home and came out a short time later carrying a rifle before running into the woods.
Deputies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol surrounded the area. A short time later, officers heard a single gunshot. No shots were fired by law enforcement, according to the p
According to the Callaway County Sheriff's office social media post, deputies learned there were concerns about Fennewald's mental health. The Crisis Intervention Team, along with negotiators with the MSHP and the sheriff's office, attempted to contact Fennewald but were unsuccessful.
Callaway County Sheriff's Office Major Curtis Hall told ABC 17 News at the scene that the suspect died by suicide. Law enforcement found Fennewald's body at 11:17 p.m. using FLIR technology.
The scene was cleared around 12:30 a.m., and Route E has reopened.
The sheriff's office wrote at 10:10 p.m. that it is searching for Joseph G Fennewald "known as Grant."
Law enforcement had Route E closed off near a home while they searched the area.
K-9 units and drones are deployed. ABC 17 News reporters saw roughly a dozen law enforcement vehicles and a drone being used.
The sheriff’s office is asking nearby residences to “lock their vehicles, secure valuables and report any suspicious activity or persons immediately to Callaway County Joint Communications at 573-642-7291.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation.
ABC 17 News is working to learn more information. Please check back for updates.
