Missouri deputy shooting suspect taken into custody after manhunt, officials say

A suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Missouri deputy, officials said.

Richard Dean Bird, 45, was apprehended early Tuesday morning following the fatal shooting of a Christian County deputy that occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced on social media.

The incident sparked a manhunt for the suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol described the suspect as a bald white man with brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds.

Richard Dean Bird, 45, was apprehended following the fatal shooting of a Christian County deputy. (Missouri State Highway Patrol)

The suspect vehicle was previously identified as a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck, Missouri license plate 9MGX36.

The truck was seen in the area of ​​the shooting and was later reported traveling south on U.S. Highway 160 from Highway HH in Christian County. US 160 crosses southern Missouri and crosses north-central Arkansas east of Harrison.

“The truck has been located,” the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, which participated in the search, wrote Monday evening on X.

Several lawmakers reacted earlier to the congressman’s death.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has issued a Blue Alert for a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck, Missouri license plate 9MGX36, after a Christian County deputy was fatally shot near Highlandville. (Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook)

“A lawmaker from my home county was shot and killed today. Erin and I are praying for his family. May justice be swift,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said the incident was “a devastating loss in Christian County.”

“As local law enforcement works to bring the suspect to justice, my prayers go out to the deputy’s loved ones and those who worked side by side with him to keep Missouri safe,” Schmitt wrote on X.

Missouri State Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg said on Facebook, “My heart is broken for our congressman’s family. While they understand this profession has risks, senseless acts like this are beyond belief.”

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol described the suspect as a bald white man with brown eyes, approximately 5’6″ tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds. (Jordyn Noennig / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

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Blue Alerts, like the one initially issued in this case, are similar to Amber Alerts in that they are designed to quickly notify the public. However, a Blue Alert is issued when a suspect is suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer and may pose an ongoing threat.

“Blue Alert canceled. Suspect in custody,” the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Tuesday morning.

Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.

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