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Police near, abduction figure shoots self
FENTON, Mo., (UPI) -- A man police wanted to question in the abduction of a 4-year-old girl in Missouri shot himself as officers approached him Wednesday, authorities said.
The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported online the man -- described as a person of interest in the kidnapping of Alisa Maier, who was found alive Tuesday night -- shot himself as law enforcement officials approached him in Hawk Point, Mo.
Citing police sources, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the suspect lived at the home where the shooting occurred. Records indicate Paul Smith, 38, lives at the home, the Post-Dispatch said.
The newspaper said Smith is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 1995 and served about 11 years of a prison term for sodomizing a 10-year-old.
Police sources told the newspaper Smith was spraypainting his car when police arrived, and was alive and receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
The girl was found at a gas station car wash in Fenton, Mo., Tuesday night more than 24 hours after an Amber Alert was issued for her disappearance, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported.
Witnesses told detectives they saw what appeared to be a young boy walking away from a vehicle and wandering unattended at the station.
Investigators believe the man who abducted Alisa from her home in Louisiana, Mo., Monday may have altered her appearance after picking her up.
Louisiana Police Chief Richard Hughes said the only witness to Alisa's abduction was her older brother, who said he saw his sister get into a car with a man he didn't know.
Due to the ongoing investigation, authorities would not answer any questions regarding her condition or why she may have been mistaken for a boy.
FENTON, Mo., (UPI) -- A man police wanted to question in the abduction of a 4-year-old girl in Missouri shot himself as officers approached him Wednesday, authorities said.
The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported online the man -- described as a person of interest in the kidnapping of Alisa Maier, who was found alive Tuesday night -- shot himself as law enforcement officials approached him in Hawk Point, Mo.
Citing police sources, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the suspect lived at the home where the shooting occurred. Records indicate Paul Smith, 38, lives at the home, the Post-Dispatch said.
The newspaper said Smith is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 1995 and served about 11 years of a prison term for sodomizing a 10-year-old.
Police sources told the newspaper Smith was spraypainting his car when police arrived, and was alive and receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
The girl was found at a gas station car wash in Fenton, Mo., Tuesday night more than 24 hours after an Amber Alert was issued for her disappearance, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported.
Witnesses told detectives they saw what appeared to be a young boy walking away from a vehicle and wandering unattended at the station.
Investigators believe the man who abducted Alisa from her home in Louisiana, Mo., Monday may have altered her appearance after picking her up.
Louisiana Police Chief Richard Hughes said the only witness to Alisa's abduction was her older brother, who said he saw his sister get into a car with a man he didn't know.
Due to the ongoing investigation, authorities would not answer any questions regarding her condition or why she may have been mistaken for a boy.