Suspect with lengthy criminal history charged in murder of St. Louis police officer

ST. LOUIS — A man accused of killing a St. Louis police officer and wounding another during an hours-long standoff with authorities over the weekend was criminally charged Tuesday.

Thomas Kinworthy Jr., 43, was arrested Sunday in connection with the death of Ofcr. Tamarris Bohannon, 29, KMOV-TV reported.

Tamarris L. Bohannon
St. Louis Police Officer Tamarris L. Bohannon, 29, who was shot in the head died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 after responding to a shooting on the city’s south side. (St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department)

Bohannon was one of two responding officers to a shooting in the Tower Grove South neighborhood around 6 p.m. Saturday.

A man identified as Kinworthy barricaded himself inside a home and opened fire on police, according to law enforcement authorities. As a result of the gunfire, Bohannon was struck in the head and the other officer, 30, was hit in the leg. That officer, who has been on the force for a few months, was taken to a hospital and released following treatment.

Kinworthy was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, 3 counts of armed criminal action, assault, burglary, resisting arrest and unlawful use of a firearm.

Kinworthy has a lengthy criminal history dating back to the 1990s, KMOV-TV reported. He was charged in January with attempted sexual battery and kidnapping, choking the victim and attempting a sex act. During a search while investigating the case, authorities found several firearms, tactical gear and other items belonging to him, according to the news station.

Thomas Kinworthy
Thomas Kinworthy Jr. has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Officer Tamarris L. Bohannon. (St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department)

He failed to appear in court and made his way from Florida to Missouri, according to reports.

In 2001, he served six years in a Florida prison for shooting a man during a road rage incident. In 2009, he was convicted of exposing himself to an undercover officer.

Moreover, the criminal defendant also has a list of drug offenses in Missouri in the 90s, FOX reported. He is being held in St. Louis City Justice Center.

 

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