Breaking: Kentucky State Trooper Gunned Down – Shooter From Near #Ferguson …Update: Suspect Dies in Custody

Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder. Kentucky State Police

A manhunt was launched after Kentucky State Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder was shot dead last night during a police chase. The trooper was shot several times.Authorities are searching for Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks.

NBC News reported:

A Kentucky State Police Trooper was fatally shot after a nine-mile pursuit late Sunday, sparking a manhunt.

Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31, was killed after a driver fled from a traffic stop on Interstate 24 at 10:20 p.m. local time (11:20 p.m. ET).

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“A pursuit ensued with the suspect stopping abruptly around the 49 mile marker, causing the front of Trooper Ponder’s police cruiser to make contact with the rear of the suspect vehicle,” Trooper First Class Jay Thomas said in a statement.

He added: “At this time, the driver of the suspect vehicle fired several shots into the police cruiser striking the hood, windshield and Trooper Ponder multiple times. The suspect fled the scene on foot.”

Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri was the subject of a manhunt early Monday. Kentucky State Police

The shooter is from Florissant, Missouri near Ferguson.

UPDATE: The man accused of fatally shooting a #Kentucky officer is from Florissant. #n4tm http://t.co/FvJsByp01D pic.twitter.com/c5yfXdWvBs

— KMOV (@KMOV) September 14, 2015

UPDATE: Joseph Johnson-Shanks was captured this morning.

UPDATE: Joseph Johnson-Shanks died this morning after his arrest.