Strike Force DRUG BUST in SAINT JOSEPH, MO

A four-and-a-half-hour standoff ended Monday night when law enforcement officers stormed a house at 26th and Olive streets and fired at a man who was believed to be barricaded inside with a rifle.

An exchange of gunfire ensued as a Special Response Team entered the house shortly after 10 p.m. The suspect, Chris Punzo, 41, suffered two or more gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital with unspecified injuries.

Police initially fired non-lethal rounds but responded with bullets when Mr. Punzo fired back.

No law enforcement officers were injured, although one was shot at as the Special Response Team moved in to take the house. Initial reports indicated that the law enforcement officer was not hurt and that the bullet possibly struck his gun, which was in his holster.

The standoff began at about 5:45 p.m. when the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force came into contact with the house and Mr. Punzo.

Officers from the St. Joseph Police Department and Buchanan County Sheriffs Department were called in as it became clear that Mr. Punzo was not giving himself up. Another person who was in the house at the time was allowed to leave.

Mr. Punzo fired his weapon at about 8 p.m. during negotiations but said that it was an accident. Police did not fire back at that time and tried to communicate with the suspect throughout the evening.

Tear gas was fired into the building at about 9:25 and at 9:52 p.m., but Mr. Punzo did not come out.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Capt. Jeff Wilson shouted assault, assault, assault and the SRT officers moved in, creating a diversion on the second floor and going through the first floor, eventually encountering the suspect.

At least 20 officers were involved in the standoff.

Mr. Punzo was taken away in an ambulance after the incident was over and police went about searching the residence.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• COPS

[TruMiZeRy816]

as for mike strong lol he says UH 9 times lol

[TruMiZeRy816]

Your sad for trying to start shit on a blog... lol pathetic

[onsomechrome1]

ya your mom is a dope whore.that is the truth.what a nastey place.cockroaches allover.eww.bunch of young kids

[onsomechrome1]

@teefootprints thats olive buddy

[jem805]

26th & olive... chilled with his son all the time.

[teefootprints]

not mike strong, that is jim connors LOL but where is it?

[teefootprints]

is this on ridenbaugh lol

[lgp1987]

@sleupold That's Jim Connors. Commander of SJPD

[MsRidinsolo1]

haha i feel so ashamed to live in st.joe

[sleupold]

@TruMiZeRy816 That's not Mike Strong but yeah he did say uhh about 9 times.  LOL

[Ashleyteal2011]

ok whatever you say...but once again I have to make you look stupid cuz my mom doesn't have a computer so highly imposible for her to do that BTW;) I think your the one on drugs...haha loser!