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Maryland Heights detective shoots, kills wanted man that charged him outside Dave & Buster's, police say

An officer shot the suspect after he charged at police with an edged weapon, according to St. Louis County Police Department.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — A man died after he was shot by a detective after charging at him outside a Dave & Buster's in Maryland Heights Wednesday afternoon.

St. Louis County police sergeant Tracy Panus gave an update Wednesday evening on the officer-involved shooting.

Panus said the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. when detectives with the Maryland Heights Police Department were searching for a suspect involved in multiple criminal incidents around St. Louis County. 

The detectives observed the suspect exit Dave & Buster's and confronted him. 

As officers were trying to arrest the suspect, he did not comply. He pulled out an "edged weapon" and charged at officers, Panus said. 

One of the detectives fired his weapon and hit the suspect. Officers rendered aid and the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Panus. 

The officer was identified as a 46-year-old man with 14 years of law enforcement experience.

St. Louis County police identified the suspect as 48-year-old Mark Davenport from Rolla, Missouri.

Panus said she did not have specifics on the incidents he was wanted for, but said some of them were violent in nature.

Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson said the incident happened before the restaurant was busy. 

No one else was injured.

The Maryland Heights Police Department and St. Louis County Police Department are investigating. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department. 

Resources for crime victims:

If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.

Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to “stabilize inner-city neighborhoods.” One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.

To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/

Life Outside of Violence “helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence.”

To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.

To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html

Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/

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