A deadly series of events unfolded late Sunday morning in Crystal City, Missouri, resulting in the death of a woman inside a pickup truck and leaving a man critically injured following a confrontation with police. The incident began around 11 a.m. when Festus police responded to reports of gunfire near a White Castle restaurant on Highway A close to Interstate 55. Officers identified a Dodge Ram pickup truck suspected to be connected to the shooting and pursued it towards Crystal City, according to Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel.
The pursuit concluded when the truck struck a concrete median on South Truman Parkway, spinning to a stop. The driver, identified as Jarrett Cousins, exited the vehicle clad in body armor and armed with multiple firearms, as noted by Crystal City Police Chief Chad Helms. Witnesses described the chaotic scene where Cousins pointed pistols at his own head, fired them into the air, and behaved erratically. Despite officers' repeated commands to disarm, Cousins pointed a gun at them, prompting the officers to open fire. Cousins was hit, collapsed, but then stood again, pointing a firearm once more, leading officers to fire additional shots.
Inside the truck, police discovered the body of Clara Blaxton, whose death was confirmed not to be caused by police gunfire, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak. The cause of her death remains under investigation. The truck bore Arkansas license plates, indicating that the pair had traveled to Missouri earlier that day. Cousins sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, with his condition currently unknown. The police officers involved in the shooting were unharmed.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading the investigation into the incident. Authorities are soliciting information, cell phone footage, and surveillance video that could help piece together the events leading to Blaxton’s death and the subsequent confrontation. This tragedy underscores the dangers law enforcement officers face and raises questions about the circumstances of Blaxton’s death and Cousins’ erratic behavior. As investigations continue, the local community is left shaken by the violent events that disrupted an otherwise quiet Sunday morning.
The incident highlights the importance of understanding the chain of events that led to such a tragic outcome, with the community grieving the loss and turmoil caused by this deadly encounter. The search for answers continues as authorities work to bring clarity and closure to the horrific events of that morning.
