Suspect in cross-county chase, shooting charged; video released - KCTV5 News

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV.com) – A man who may be from Kansas City has been charged after allegedly leading police on a pursuit from Warrenton, Missouri to Lambert Airport Wednesday evening.

Police said 22-year-old Reginald Adams has been charged by Warren County prosecutors with six counts of first degree assault and six counts of unlawful use of a weapon. According to police, the pursuit began when officers in Warren County received a call stating someone was firing gunshots along Interstate 70 around 6:00 p.m.

Two people, and seven cars were hit by the Adams' gunshots, according to authorities. One person was shot near the Wentzville Parkway exit, another was shot near mile marker 190. At least one of the victims sustained potentially life-threatening injuries, police say. Authorities believed all of the shots were random, not targeted.

"I can tell you, [if] someone's going to come through our town or any town and randomly shoot at people, we have to stop this guy at any cost," said St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez.

The chase lasted 40 miles and came to an end after Adams' vehicle slammed into a St. Ann police car, throwing the driver of the vehicle into the passenger seat, near Lambert Airport. After the collision, Adams fired shots at an officer before attempting to run.

“Our detective came up, unfortunately was trying to stop, and came up to the side of him where he went out with his arm through the front passenger window and fired approximately five shots,”  Jimenez said. “I witnessed that. I thought my detective was killed at that time.”

While running from police, Adams fired more shots and police returned fire, causing Adams to drop his gun. The suspect was not hit by the gunfire, according to police.

“In my 18 years as a police officer, I've seen a lot of things and this was absolutely one of the scariest things that I've witnessed,” said Jimenez. “He had no regards for public safety, he definitely was trying to kill police men, and citizens.”

Jimenez said police did not stop traffic because he felt other motorists would be sitting targets.

Skyzoom 4 was over the scene as Adams was taken into custody, it is unknown what charges he will face.

No officers were injured during the incident.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near Interstate 170 were closed while police took the suspect into custody around 6:30 p.m. 

Late Wednesday night, state troopers in Kansas City canvassed suspect's supposed home looking for anything that may have led to the shooting, but did not find anything unusual. Police said they are not entirely sure he is from Kansas City.

"At this point we're not exactly sure where he's from. We believe he did have an address in Kansas City, but he may be from St. Louis and Kansas City. We're still trying to figure that out," said Sgt. Al Nothum with the Missouri Highway Patrol.