Manhunt underway after deputy killed in Missouri

A manhunt is underway in Missouri after a deputy was shot and killed Monday afternoon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the alert was issued after a Christian County deputy from Highlandville was shot and killed just before 4 p.m.

The suspect vehicle was determined to be a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck with Missouri license plate 9MGX36.

The truck was seen in the area of ​​the shooting and was last reported heading south on U.S. Route 160 from Route HH in Christian County, authorities said. US 160 heads south through southern Missouri and crosses into north-central Arkansas east of Harrison.

It is stated that the vehicle has a silver brush guard, a rusted roof, black body cladding, darkened rear windows and a three-ball hitch. No suspect description has been released.

Authorities ask anyone who sees the vehicle not to approach it and to call 911 immediately.

“A lawmaker in my hometown was shot and killed today. Erin and I are praying for his family. May justice be swift,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., called the attack “a devastating loss in Christian County.”

Schmitt wrote in his post on

Missouri State Representative Jamie Ray Gragg also shared a message on Facebook following the attack.

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A patch worn by an officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol (Jordyn Noennig / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

“My heart breaks for our MP’s family. While they understand that this profession carries risks, this type of senseless behavior is unconscionable,” Gragg wrote.

He asked the community to join him in praying for the lawmaker’s family and friends, as well as law enforcement “who worked tirelessly to find this individual while also grieving,” adding that he hoped the situation would end peacefully “without further bloodshed.”

Blue Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts in that they are designed to quickly notify the public. However, a Blue Alert is issued when it is believed that a suspect has seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer and may pose an ongoing threat.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Christian County Sheriff’s Office for comment.

Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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