Suspect arrested in shooting of Berkeley police officer

KSDK -- A 16-year-old boy suspected of shooting a Berkeley police officer last week has been taken into custody.

Investigators held a news conference this afternoon to update the case. St. Louis Police Lieutenant Tom Larkin said the teen suspect was staying at a house in University City with some friends from school and had helped move furniture in the home last night. He said the owners of the home later recognized the suspect from seeing his picture on television.

Lt. Larkin said the father of one of the friends convinced the suspect to turn himself in this morning and the two walked into the Justice Center in Clayton around 3:00 p.m.

Officer Donald Shultz was shot around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday off Natural Bridge at McDonnell Boulevard near Washington Park Cemetery. Berkeley Police Chief Frank McCall said Shultz has been with the department for two years and is 28-years-old.

Officer Shultz was doing a pedestrian check at Madelaine Manor Apartments but when he approached, the suspect turned and fled. The suspect then allegedly turned and opened fire on the officer inside the cemetery. Officer Shultz was able to return fire before the suspect ran away. He is recovering at DePaul Health Center.

Lt. Larkin said it could be months before a decision is made on whether to certify the teenage suspect as an adult.

In response to the shooting, the bar and grill across the street from the Berkeley Police Department, K.D. Gray's, is holding a benefit. From open at 11 a.m. until close on Monday, August 3, all of the profits made on sales from food and drinks will go to Officer Shultz and his family.

K.D. Gray's Bar & Grill is located at 6130 Madison Avenue, Berkeley. For more information, call (314) 521-5309.

NewsChannel 5 is no longer naming the suspect since he has been taken into custody and charges have not been filed.