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 committed 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.

Callaway County Sheriff's Office Major Curtis Hall told ABC 17 News at the scene that the suspect committed suicide.

Hall told ABC 17 News the suspect was pulled over on Route E, near County Road 271, at 7:28 p.m for a routine traffic stop. The man fled at low speeds and the pursuit ended about a half mile away at 7:35 p.m.

After the pursuit ended, the suspect entered a home and came out with a long gun. Hall says he did not point it at anyone. The suspect went into the woods and a few minutes later, officers heard a gunshot, according to Hall.

The sheriff's office wrote at 11:32 p.m. The suspect was located, and the situation has been resolved at 12:11 a.m. ABC 17 News crews said Route E was open.

 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 “lock their vehicles, secure valuables and report any suspicious actively 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.