St. Louis, Missouri: Man Charged After High Ridge Burglary, Shooting and Pursuit Into the City

A St. Louis man is being held without bond after a Friday night break-in and shooting at a home in High Ridge, a stolen car pursuit into the city, and shots fired at deputies who chased him on foot. Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak announced the charges on Sunday, November 8.

Denzell M. Reed, 36, of St. Louis, is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree domestic assault, first-degree burglary and stealing a motor vehicle, along with three counts of armed criminal action. The seven felony charges cover one night of alleged crimes in two jurisdictions, Jefferson County and the City of St. Louis.

A shot fired inside a High Ridge home

Investigators allege that Reed entered a home in the 400 block of Thoreau Trail in High Ridge on the evening of Friday, November 6, without permission. He was armed with a handgun and threatened a woman inside the residence, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The woman retreated into a bathroom for safety. A second person was also inside the bathroom. Reed fired a shot in her direction, investigators allege. Neither person was injured.

The Sheriff's Office has not released the relationship between Reed and the woman, or what led to the confrontation at the home.

Stolen car, a pursuit, and shots at deputies

After the shooting, investigators say Reed stole the woman's vehicle and fled the residence. A Jefferson County sheriff's deputy later spotted the vehicle and began a pursuit that continued into the City of St. Louis.

Reed abandoned the vehicle in the city and ran. Deputies followed on foot, and Reed fired shots toward the pursuing officers, the Sheriff's Office alleges. One deputy returned fire. Neither Reed nor any deputy was struck.

Held in St. Louis on a no-bond warrant

Reed was taken into custody by officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He is being held at the St. Louis City Justice Center.

Marshak credited Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski and her staff for obtaining an in-custody warrant without bond, and he thanked the agencies that helped bring the pursuit to an end. The Sheriff's Office has not said whether more charges are expected.

All of the charges are allegations. Reed is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.