HomeMy WebLinkAboutOfficer involved shooting 6-15-26 (00000002)
2530 Maria Louise Lane Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 573-335-6621 Tel 573-339-6362 Fax
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NEWS RELEASE
Date: 6-15-2026 Media Relations Office
For Immediate Release 573-335-6621 / F: 573-339-6362
Ptlm. Bobby Newton (x1393)
Rnewton@cityofcape.org
OFFICER INVOVLED SHOOTING
On June 15, 2026, at about 12:20 a.m., officers with the Cape Girardeau Police
Department and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic
stop on a vehicle in the 1200-Block of S. Ellis St. The driver was identified as Clarence
Smith (34) of Cape Girardeau, whom officers had determined had active warrants for
his arrest. Because of these warrants, officers commanded Smith to exit his vehicle.
Smith refused commands from officers and officers opened Smith’s door and attempted
to remove him from the vehicle. Smith resisted officers and accelerated the vehicle
causing two officers to be drug along the pavement by Smith’s vehicle for approximately
ten feet before one of the officers deployed a Taser. Smith continued driving the vehicle
until the Taser contact was broken.
Officers pursued Smith after he failed to yield and continued driving, committing multiple
traffic violations during the pursuit.
Smith turned north on Sprigg from Hickory and continued at a high rate of speed before
entering a closed construction zone on Sprigg St. by maneuvering around “road closed”
signs, cones and barricades. Smith attempted to turn around and became stuck in an
open portion of the street due to the construction occurring. Officers exited their vehicles
in an attempt to apprehend Smith. Smith was able to dislodge his vehicle and turned the
vehicle south driving directly at the officers on foot.
Smith accelerated directly at the officers causing one of the officers to be forced to
retreat behind a vehicle to prevent Smith from striking the officer. Smith was driving
directly towards two more officers and it was during this time that officers fired their
weapons at Smith due to his life threatening behavior. Smith then collided with a
citizen’s vehicle that was parked on the street and officers were then able to take him
into custody.
Smith received a non-life threatening laceration to his hand and was taken to an area
hospital for treatment prior to being transported to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s
2530 Maria Louise Lane Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 573-335-6621 Tel 573-339-6362 Fax
cityofcape.org/police facebook.com/capepolice
Department. Smith was taken into custody for the outstanding warrant pending new
charges.
There is no current threat to the public regarding this incident and no officers were
injured. The Cape Girardeau Police Department requested the incident be
independently investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and
Crime Control.
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