A mentally ill Missouri woman committed suicide by shooting herself in the head with a police officer’s gun while getting a ride to a local hospital in a squad car on Wednesday.
The St. Louis County Police Department said Stephanie Hicks, 20, got into a struggle with an Alton police officer over his weapon.
At around 9am, the officer pulled over and asked Hicks if she needed a ride. The 20-year-old got into the front seat because the back of the car is for prisoners, and Hicks was not in custody.
Police said the officer told them Hicks didn't say anything in the car before unsnapping his holster and shooting herself.
She was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where she died from her injury.
The patrol car was equipped with a video camera, Hayes said, but it is wired to the emergency lights and was not running. The officer turned on the lights after the shooting, and the camera captured the tragic aftermath.
The officer driving Hicks is a 13-year veteran on the Alton police force. He's been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
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