From the Missouri State Highway Patrol

Clinton Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation:

At approximately 9:22 p.m., on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, Clinton police officers were dispatched to 306 West Grandriver Street for a 911 call. Henry County 911 operators could hear two women arguing and advised the officers of the line being open. Upon the officers’ arrival they contacted a female, Tammy Widger, of Clinton, MO. Ms. Widger advised there was not a problem and there wasn't anybody else in the residence. 

After confirming with dispatch the address of the residence, officers entered the house where they encountered the suspect. The suspect began firing at the officers and subsequently killed Officer Ryan Morton, and wounded two additional officers. Members of the Bates County Tactical Team and members of the Troop A SWAT Team entered the residence to remove Officer Morton. 

At 12:10 a.m., on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, members of the Troop A SWAT Team and the Bates County Tactical team entered the residence to apprehend the suspect. They located the suspect in the bathroom deceased from a gunshot wound. Further investigation revealed the phone number from the original 911 call came from an address in Windsor, MO, and not the residence of the officer-involved shooting. 

The deceased suspect has been identified as James E. Waters, 37, from Clinton, MO. Autopsies on the officer and suspect are pending. 

The investigation continues by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Clinton Police Department, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department.

Courtesy of MSHP Sgt. Bill Lowe