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CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- First-degree murder charges are filed in the October shooting death of a suburban St. Louis police officer.

St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch on Wednesday announced the charges against 41-year-old Todd Shepard of Berkeley. He is also charged with armed criminal action.

University City Sgt. Michael King was shot to death while in his patrol car on the night of Oct. 31 in the popular Loop area.

A witness said the 50-year-old officer was sitting in his car when a man approached and shot him. McCulloch would not discuss a possible motive.

Shepard was taken into custody on Nov. 4 in the Kansas City area for unrelated federal drugs and weapons charges. He is held without bond in the St. Louis County jail.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)