SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – A woman was wounded by a firearm after an incident with a police officer in West Springfield early Tuesday morning.
Officers responded to Fast N ‘Friendly on block 500 on the West Chestnut Expressway after a policeman identified a stolen car at around 5 am. When three police officers tried to prevent her from escaping, investigators said Maggie Thrift ran over one of them with her car. The police then fired at her in response.
“The driver fled in the vehicle, hitting a policeman while she was driving out of the parking lot,” Chief Paul Williams told a news conference. “At that time, three different policemen fired on the vehicle.”
She escaped custody despite several gunshot wounds. Police later found Thrift on Commercial Street.
“The police department got a call to 911 saying there was a woman with a gunshot wound,” said Williams.
Investigators say gunshot wounds do not appear to be fatal. Police chief Paul Williams said Thrift was wanted by several warrants. She is hospitalized.
The policeman suffered minor injuries in the incident.
Officials located the vehicle on Tuesday afternoon. Police chief Paul Williams says the vehicle was stolen.
Chief Williams said Tuesday’s incident brings back memories of other police officers hit by cars this year, including officer Mark Priebe in June.
“For me personally, yes,” he said. “And Greene County’s deputy sheriff, Lieutenant Westbrook, was also recently hit by her vehicle. So it always comes into play. I’m sure it goes through the head of the officers, too. But fortunately, in this case, no serious injuries were the result of the suspect’s action who actually drove and tried to hit a police officer. “
Williams said that two investigations will now take place, including a criminal investigation. He said he will analyze the incident itself and the actions of the police.
“We also have an administrative investigation that will examine officers’ policies, practices, actions and behavior with respect to our standard operating policy and policy procedures.”
Williams said the investigations will take place separately and at the same time. He also said that the officers involved were placed on administrative leave until investigations are completed.
The police are still looking for information.
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