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Trooper, Driver Both Shot in Gunfire Exchange Near Mansfield

MSHP

UPDATE at 9:30 AM on July 19, 2018:   According to the MSHP, the occupant of the vehicle has been identified as Colby M. Rey, 32, or Orlando, Florida. Rey is in critical condition at a Springfield hospital after receiving multiple gunshot wounds, according to the patrol. He is also wanted by the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a parole violation on a weapons offense. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Original story, posted July 18, 2018:

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is working to identify a man who they say suffered critical injuries after exchanging gunfire with a trooper Wednesday in southwest Missouri. The trooper was also shot,

Sergeant Jeff Kinder said trooper Robert Crewse of Troop G was responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle Wednesday morning on a county road near Mansfield in Wright County.

Upon arriving, Kinder says Crewse found the license plates were registered to a different type of vehicle.

“The male occupant gave the trooper a fictitious name, and when asked to step the vehicle, the person refused and became uncooperative.  Another trooper and a Mansfield city police officer arrived to assist, and the man produced a handgun, opening fire on the officers,” Kinder said.

In an exchange of gunfire, the trooper was struck twice—one bullet grazed his head, and another hit his side but did not penetrate his body because of his bulletproof vest.

According to the patrol, the trooper was treated at a Springfield hospital and released. Crewse is 49 years old and a 15-year veteran of the MSHP, according to Kinder.

As of Wednesday evening, the Highway Patrol was unable to determine the identity of the driver or to confirm how many times he was shot. Kinder described the driver’s wounds as “critical,” and confirmed he’s in a Springfield hospital.  Kinder also confirmed the wounded driver who opened fire is a white male.

An investigation will be conducted by the patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.