ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A complex and tragic series of events early Friday morning in St. Louis has left four people dead, including a suspect, after an officer-involved shooting and a SWAT deployment during a barricade situation, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).

At approximately 4:20 a.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 5100 block of Wells Avenue, where they discovered a man deceased from multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch of a residence.

The scene was immediately secured, and detectives launched a homicide investigation. A search warrant was obtained to allow law enforcement to enter the home in search of ballistic evidence.

In light of the developing situation, officers requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

At around 7:00 a.m., a man exited the residence and briefly spoke with a homicide detective and an ATF special agent, before retreating back inside the home.

He soon reemerged armed with a rifle and opened fire on officers. In response, both the officer and agent returned fire.

The suspect then retreated into the house once more.

A call for “Officer in Need of Aid” and reports of a disturbance were made around this time, prompting police to shut down the surrounding streets and deploy hostage negotiators along with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

By approximately 9:00 a.m., SWAT officers made entry into the home and secured the scene. Inside, they located three deceased individuals:

• The suspected shooter, found dead near the entrance of the home;
• A woman, discovered deceased in the living room;
• A man, found deceased in the basement.

In total, four people were pronounced dead: the original victim found on the porch and the three individuals located inside the residence.

One of the victims has been tentatively identified by family and social media posts as Anthony, also referred to by the hashtag #LongLiveUncleSnaccs.

The names and ages of the other victims have not yet been released, and the timing and exact causes of death remain under investigation.

No officers or federal agents were injured during the incident.

Authorities have launched two parallel investigations:

• A homicide investigation into the deaths at the scene,
• And a force investigation into the officer-involved shooting, in accordance with departmental policy.

The officer who discharged his weapon is 28 years old and has served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for three years.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact SLMPD Homicide Division or CrimeStoppers.