By Police1 Staff
Police are searching for Ian McCarthy, the suspect in the killing of 37-year-old rookie cop Gary Michael, who was less than a year on the job when he was tragically murdered in Clinton, Missouri. Officer Michael was a husband and a step-father. Here are five things to know about his suspected killer.
1. McCarthy is considered armed and dangerous.
Officer Michael was killed after stopping McCarthy, 39, for a registration violation. McCarthy is believed to have been armed with a rifle at the time of the killing. Investigators found a .233 rifle shell casing inside the suspect’s crashed vehicle a few blocks from the scene, and two shots pierced Officer Michael’s Kevlar vest, according to Fox 4. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
2. Police are ‘fairly certain’ he’s still in the area.
McCarthy is believed to still be in Henry County, Missouri, but he has no close ties to the area, which makes the manhunt more difficult for law enforcement. Officials say he is most likely on foot.
3. He has a violent criminal history.
The suspect has multiple active warrants out for his arrest, which police believe may be what compelled him to fatally shoot Officer Michael. He’s wanted in New Hampshire for failing to show up to sentencing for a disorderly conduct charge, and he’s also wanted in Jackson County, Missouri, for unlawful possession of a firearm. That doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of his long criminal history. According to Fox 4, he was convicted of first degree assault in New Hampshire in 2001 for stabbing a boy multiple times. Between 1997 and 2011, he racked up 20 counts ranging from minor traffic violations to criminal charges. He’s served time in prison at least twice and was paroled in 2008.
4. He may be wounded.
Officer Michael fought until the end and was able to return fire after he was shot. But law enforcement officials are not sure if a bullet struck McCarthy, according to the NY Daily News.
The officer’s brother, Chris, praised his heroism:
“He’s my hero. He’s my big brother,” Chris Michael said. “Even though there’s a lot of tears today there was some laughter because we got to remember him and who he was and who he is, because he’s still that person, and he proved it.”
5. The search is complicated.
In addition to the issue of few locals knowing McCarthy, the search is even more difficult for police because of its scope – officers are searching neighborhoods, abandoned buildings, empty buses and wooded areas – which calls for different tactics depending on the environment.
“And when you are dealing with someone who is armed and dangerous, it makes it more complex,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe told AP. “We have to make sure our officers are safe, while also making sure no one else is hurt.”
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For tips and tactics on conducting safe and effective manhunts, be sure to check out our articles, “9 considerations for police when requesting public assistance during a manhunt,” “How the fundamentals of tracking can benefit your police department” and “How ‘Tactical watch-outs’ can help police in woodland manhunts.”
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