Suspect on bail dies after shoot-out, second pursuit

Out on bail for a drug arrest after fleeing from police last week, James Warfel’s second interaction with local law enforcement ended an officer-involved shooting. Warfel, 24, of Arnold, Mo. died from his injuries in a Springfield hospital, confirms Troop G’s Public Information Officer, Sgt. Thomas Young. 

 

After a vehicle pursuit involving Willow Springs police and the Highway Patrol on August 19, Warfel fled on foot with a drawn firearm. He was arrested without incident and charged August 19, Warfel posted his $100,000 bond on August 24.

 

In the early morning hours of August 28, West Plains Police Lieutenant Kyle Ellison initiated a traffic stop after watching a driver, later identified to be Warfel, participate in an enforcement operation staging a drug deal. Warfel fled northbound on US Highway 63 and began to drive into the opposing lane of traffic. 

 

Howell County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) joined the pursuit.

 

According to scanner traffic, there was initially some confusion about who fired a gun first. A male voice on a HCSO channel who did not give a badge number announced, “In pursuit of a wrong-way driver. I believe he fired shots at West Plains. Northbound on 63.”

 

A minute later, at 1:09 a.m. a West Plains Police officer can be heard on the scanner saying, “We do have one shot fired. Officer-involved shooting. No officers are injured.”

 

Shortly thereafter, officers in pursuit confirm, “[The suspect] did not fire a shot at us. He rapidly made a movement towards his waistband and then down towards the vehicle.”

 

Press releases from WPPD and HCSO via Cabool Police Department both state that an officer fired at the suspect during the traffic stop. There is no mention in either release of the suspect firing first. 

 

The chase continued north on US Highway 63 through Willow Springs and towards Cabool. By 1:20 a.m., Cabool Police Department (CPD) set up tire deflation devices on U.S. Highway 60 near Dade Lane, according to the release from CPD, which slowed, but did not disable the vehicle.

 

As the chase continued on the outer roads surrounding Cabool, “Howell County deputies performed a tactical vehicle intervention on the suspect vehicle,” according to the release from CPD. 

 

After the vehicle was disabled, Warfel exited and, “opened fire on the Howell County deputies and Sheriff Matt Roberts.  Subsequently, Howell County returned fire hitting the suspect multiple times before he was taken into custody,” reads the same release. 

 

Warfel was taken from the scene by air ambulance in critical condition, and later passed away at Cox South Hospital. 

 

No law enforcement officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire. Sheriff Roberts issued a statement on Facebook saying he would not be making further comments, due to his involvement. 

 

At the request of Howell and Texas County Sheriffs, Christian County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting an investigation of the officer-involved shooting, according to Friday’s release. Christian County will be investigating the HCSO portion of the event, and Highway Patrol will be investigating the WPPD involvement, according to an August 28 release.