By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A suspect released on bond five days earlier fatally shot two sheriff’s deputies in southwest Missouri on Feb. 23–24.
• Deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope were killed after a traffic stop south of Highlandville and during a subsequent manhunt.
• The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Richard Dean Bird, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement.
• Bird faced recent felony charges, including burglary and tampering, and had been freed on a $50,000 bond before the killings.
• The sheriff’s office and state officials are leading an ongoing investigation.
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MO — A man freed on bond days earlier fatally shot two Christian County sheriff’s deputies and was killed by law enforcement during a multi-agency response that began Feb. 23, authorities said.
Christian County deputies Gabriel Ramirez, 30, and Michael Hislope, 40, were killed during a traffic stop south of Highlandville and later in a manhunt that extended into Stone County, according to Sheriff Brad Cole and state officials.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Richard Dean Bird, opened fire after the initial contact and continued shooting at responding officers, wounding additional deputies before he was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Bird had been released on a $50,000 bond five days before the shootings on charges of second-degree burglary, stealing and tampering with evidence in Stone County, court records show.
Officials said Bird had a lengthy criminal history and previously faced charges in multiple jurisdictions, including a past incident involving firing at law enforcement officers.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office and state partners continue to investigate the incident, and officials have ordered flags at half-staff to honor the fallen deputies.