A failed drug deal turned into an Interstate 70 shooting and a high-speed pursuit involving three teenagers in Missouri.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was notified around 2:34 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, about an active shooting near the 183-mile marker. Deputies were told a masked person was seen chasing another vehicle and firing at it.
Deputies soon located the suspect’s black Jeep and attempted to stop it. Instead of stopping, the driver headed eastbound on I-70, reaching speeds up to 110 mph and leading the pursuit through an active construction zone.
The chase ended when the Jeep went airborne on an unfinished section of roadway and crashed off the right side, resulting in three juveniles being taken into custody. No one was injured in the shooting or pursuit, according to the sheriff’s office.
Jeep Goes Airborne
The driver of the jeep reportedly drove onto the shoulder, between two other vehicles, and pushed through orange construction cones where work was being done.
The Jeep went airborne when it hit an unfinished section of the roadway and became disabled upon impact.
After the trip in the air, two 17-year-old males and a 14-year-old male got out of the Jeep. Two of them were immediately taken into custody, while the 17-year-old driver ran on foot carrying a firearm, according to the sheriff’s office.
Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Warrenton Police Department joined the Montgomery County deputies in the search of the driver.
The driver would eventually be found hiding in a lagoon out of all places and taken into custody.
Nine Bullets
During an investigation, it was determined that the shooting stemmed from a failed drug deal.
The vehicle that deputies were chasing was struck by gunfire nine times, with all nine bullet holes located near the rear of the vehicle.
Another driver who wasn’t involved also found themselves caught in the shooting. A bullet struck their vehicle and traveled through its window and into the driver’s seat, according to the sheriff’s office.
Despite the amount of gunfire, no one was injured.
More Was Found
The jeep was searched, and an extended magazine with two bullets was found still inside the floorboard of the car.
All three juveniles were transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office before being sent to the Juvenile Division.
The sheriff’s office posted about the incident on its Facebook page and thanked all the departments involved for their help in bringing this dangerous pursuit to an end.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Since the suspects were juveniles, their identities were not released, nor were any potential charges they could face.