A Des Peres man was shot and killed by a police officer Feb. 7 after trying to take the officer's gun during a struggle near the downtown St. Louis riverfront.
Jason Noroian, 32, of the 2100 block of Pardoroyal Drive in Des Peres, was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital following the confrontation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.
The incident began just after 6 p.m. when officers were called to investigate suspicious activity - a possible narcotics transaction - at Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and Biddle Street, according to Leah Freeman of the Metropolitan Police.
Officers observed two vehicles in the area, executed a traffic stop and discovered Noroian had warrants out for his arrest. When one of the officers attempted to arrest Noroian, he tried to grab the officer's gun. A struggle ensued and the officer fired a shot at Noroian, hitting him in the torso, according to police.
Officers found a loaded .40-caliber handgun on Noroian. The occupant of the second vehicle, a 32-year-old white female, was arrested for narcotics possession without incident, police said.
Court records reveal Noroian had been charged with felony counts of stealing a credit or debit card and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card in the past.
The officer involved in the incident is a 28-year-old male who has been with the department for two years. He has been placed on paid administrative leave according to department policy.
