BREAKING: 2 Christian County Mo Deputies Killed, 2 Wounded; Suspect Dead After Manhunt

Updated February 24, 2026 / 8: 52 AM EST — A manhunt tied to the fatal shooting of a Christian County deputy ended when a second deputy was killed and the suspected shooter, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law officers. The violence unfolded in christian county mo and surrounding areas after a traffic stop escalated into gunfire, leaving two deputies dead, two officers wounded, and an extensive multi‑agency search.

Christian County Mo: Timeline of the shooting and manhunt

• Initial shooting: The confrontation began around 4 p. m. Monday during a traffic stop on State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
• Search for suspect vehicle: The suspect's vehicle was later found abandoned; officers searched the area across the Ozarks, focusing near a roundabout on State Highway 160 by Reeds Spring.
• Final encounter: Early Tuesday morning, after hours of searching, a Highway Patrol helicopter detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area. As deputies moved in, Richard Bird opened fire and deputies returned fire; Bird was shot and killed by law officers.
• Aftermath: The manhunt ended with the suspect dead; one deputy had been killed in the initial shooting and a second deputy was killed during the manhunt confrontation.

Suspect, vehicle and movements tied to the search

The suspected shooter is identified as Richard Bird, 45 years old. Authorities located an abandoned white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck with Missouri license plate 9MGX36. The vehicle was described as having a silver brush guard, a rusted roof, black body trim, tinted rear windows and a three‑ball hitch. It was last reported traveling southbound on U. S. Route 160 from Route HH in Christian County. U. S. 160 runs south through southern Missouri and crosses into north‑central Arkansas east of Harrison.

No public suspect description was released beyond the vehicle details. Officials advised anyone who sees the truck not to approach it and to call 911.

Casualties and injured officers

Two deputies from the Christian County Sheriff's Office were killed by gunfire. One of the deputies was identified as Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30 years old. The second deputy killed has not been identified in the provided context. Two other officers were wounded — one deputy from Christian County and another from Webster County — and their injuries are not believed to be life‑threatening. A local sheriff described the day as probably the worst in the history of the Christian County Sheriff's Office, and officials indicated the wounded officers were expected to recover.

Scope of the manhunt and agencies involved

Roughly 100 officers, deputies and state troopers assisted in the search. Federal law enforcement personnel also participated in the response, with agents from the U. S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI joining local teams. A Highway Patrol helicopter played a decisive role by detecting a moving heat signature that led searchers to the suspect.

Official reactions and public alerts

Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole provided details about the shooting and the multi‑agency manhunt. Missouri’s governor was in contact with Sheriff Cole while the search was underway and urged the public to provide any information that could help identify the suspect. Two U. S. senators and a state representative offered statements of grief and prayers for the fallen deputies and their families, calling the shooting a devastating loss and urging community support for law enforcement.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert to notify the public about the suspect vehicle and potential threat. Blue Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts and are designed to quickly notify the public when a suspect is believed to have seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer and may pose an ongoing danger.

What officials have said and next steps

Authorities confirmed the suspect was found and shot during the final encounter, and a nearby county later confirmed the suspect's death. Investigators remain engaged in processing the scenes from both the initial traffic stop and the later wooded confrontation. Details about the second deputy killed and the wounded officers have not been released beyond what is noted here, and additional information may be released by investigators as the review continues. Recent updates indicate the manhunt has concluded with the suspect dead; details may evolve.