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(BALLWIN, Missouri) – Police officers on the outskirts of St. Louis were looking for an armed man who went to a religious supplies store, sexually assaulted at least one woman and shot dead a woman in the head. Police said the gunshot victim later died in a hospital.
The shooting took place around 3:15 pm. in a Catholic supply store in St. Louis, in western St. Louis County, near the town of Ballwin. Police were looking for a man about 5 feet 7 feet, heavily built, and said that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The gunman entered the store and sexually assaulted at least one woman. Police spokesman Shaun McGuire said he could not confirm media reports that more than one woman was assaulted.
It was unclear why the store was targeted and McGuire did not know if his religious affiliation was a factor.
"Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible Catholic Supply tragedy," said St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson on Twitter.
McGuire said the deceased woman did not know the suspect.
"Obviously, this adds to the intensity of our research," said McGuire.
The shooting occurred in a shopping center located in a suburb of St. Louis, along Manchester Road, one of the most congested roads in the region. McGuire said the high volume of traffic made the suspect's search more difficult.
"Obviously, someone could mix quite easily," he said.
Catholic Supply St. Louis Inc. operates three stores specializing in church supplies for parishes as well as for Catholics. The company's website also indicates the publication of national supply catalogs.
Ballwin is about 40 km west of St. Louis.
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