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Statement from Maplewood police

 MAPLEWOOD, Mo. (AP) -- A gunman shot at firefighters responding to a report of a burning pickup truck early Monday, killing one, then opened fire on police, wounding two officers.

Authorities believed the suspect had been holed up in a nearby burning house that eventually collapsed. The status of the suspect wasn't known Monday afternoon, but police were searching the ashes for his remains, as well as any evidence, said St. Louis County police spokeswoman Tracy Panus.

"The suspicion is he's in there," Panus said. "He didn't get away. We have no indication he got out of the house."

The incident began at 5:40 a.m. with a report of a pickup truck fire in Maplewood, a suburban town just southwest of St. Louis. When firefighters arrived, someone began firing shots.

Ryan Hummert, 22

  Officials said 22-year-old Ryan Hummert, a firefighter/paramedic from Maplewood, was shot to death as he got off a fire truck.

Two police officers also were injured. One was released after being treated for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. The other injured officer was taken to another hospital; Panus said he also was expected to survive.

Hummert, the son of former Maplewood Mayor Andy Hummert, began his career in August 2007 after graduating from paramedic training. He graduated from the St. Louis County Fire Academy in March.

"He had been with the fire department for only 10 months but knew it was his calling," fire Chief Terry Merrell said at a brief news conference as he fought back tears. "It's impossible to say in words the emotion and pain we are feeling right now."

Dozens of police officers from Maplewood and nearby communities had surrounded the burning brick bungalow for several hours, rifles pointed at the home as smoke poured from it.

 By the afternoon, the house had completely collapsed, Panus said, and police were using heavy equipment to sort through the debris.

Little was known about the suspect, whom neighbors described as quiet and reclusive.

Peter McCreary, a St. Louis County police chaplain, said his mother lives across the street -- the burning truck was in her driveway, but it wasn't hers and she didn't know how it got there.

McCreary's mother, 81-year-old Julia McCreary, awoke to what she thought was a backfiring vehicle. It turned out to be gunfire. Soon after, police arrived and took her out a back door, carrying her over a fence to safety.

Julia McCreary told her son that in the two years she lived in the house she had waved to the man, but he never spoke to her.

Sanyoz Rai, who works at a 7-Eleven store nearby, said he heard three or four shots at around 5:45 a.m., then saw a police officer go to the ground holding his shoulder. Rai said he then saw a firefighter on the ground behind the truck. He said the body remained there for an hour before authorities could get close enough to remove it.

Janet Kinkelar said her dog, Sugar, awakened her. As she let the dog out, two armed police officers in her yard yelled, "Get in! Get in!"

Later, officers pounded on doors in the neighborhood, telling people to evacuate immediately.

Another neighbor, Joanna Bedford, was asleep when police arrived.

"They knocked on my door -- bam, bam!" she said. "They said, 'Let's go. Go right now!"'

At Maplewood City Hall, the mood was somber, with people crying and hugging each other. Black and purple bunting was placed around City Hall, and a flag flew at half-staff. Cindy Manestar, 42, and her two young sons stopped by to place flowers at the base of the flag pole.

"I can't believe someone would do this," her 9-year-old son, Nathan, said.

The incident was the latest of several high-profile crimes in the St. Louis region this year.

In February, a disgruntled resident of the suburban town of Kirkwood walked into a City Council meeting and killed two police officers, two council members and the public works director before he was gunned down by police. The gunman, Charles "Cookie" Thornton, had a long-running feud with the city over multiple code violations concerning his small contracting company.

In June, an Arkansas couple was beaten to death outside a hotel in Festus. Authorities suspect Nicholas Sheley killed six people in Illinois before killing the couple in Festus. He was captured a short time later in Granite City, Ill.

Last week, two people died inside Jamestown Mall in north St. Louis County. Police say S.A. Carson let the air out of his wife's tires, apparently so she could not get away, then went inside and shot her to death before turning the gun on himself.

And on Saturday, 57-year-old Boris Shotekoff killed his wife and sister and brutally beat his brother-in-law before taking his own life, police said.

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AP reporter Jim Salter in St. Louis contributed to this report.

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

I think it is very very sad. MY GOD THE KID WAS 22 and a life long dream of his to be a firefighter, its just crazy.. I just can't imagine everyyone so close to that kid. GOD what is this world coming to ambush a firefighter and police, its just nuts... My heart goes out to the family and I hope they find comfort in family and friends cause its gonna be a rough road.. HE WAS A CUTIE AND LOOKED VERY SWEET AND ITS JUST A SHAME REST IN PEACE

It make no difference, the man is dead and no one knows why? That is the main question WHY? It is sad the your fire fighter is gone he had all his life in front of him and now this. I'm glad the other to officers are doing much better. I would like to understand why this happen.

It makes no difference, the man is dead and no one knows why? That is the main question WHY? It is sad the your fire fighter is gone he had all his life in front of him and now this. I'm glad the other to officers are doing much better. I would like to understand why this happen.

Yeah glad the man is dead. After what he did. To bad he shot himself and didn't just burn alive that would have been better. The miserable human being. No RIP for this LOSER. I'm gonna go out and have a drink to celebrate.

I read the comment that the Knobbe family has submitted. What a horrible thing that they are going thru too. My heart goes out to them as just more victims of a senseless crime.

What does the issue in St Louis City (that by the way has not been investigated yet) have to do with this crime or the one at Jamestown Mall or the one in Overland?? Do you really believe that the police corruption is our worst enemy?? Try rising prices on gas and groceries, unstable jobs, an economy on a downward spiral and a Government who is trying to rebuild other countries as ours falls apart. AND still that doesn't give anyone the right to take someone else's life. If the shooter was that unhappy with life, he could have ended his own without taking anyone else down with him. If you don't like your spouse, move. If you hate your neighbor, don't talk to them. If you get fired, deal with it and move on. People are just stupid, careless, selfish creeps who look for ways to make others suffer when they suffer. That unfortunately is our biggest downfall.

sad, sad sad!!!

Sounds like the good old days in the public housing projects , it got so bad firemen didn't answer a call unless there were a police escort..

I would recomend that the person with the global warming theory seek help before he goes of on some parnoid tangent resulting in danger to other people. I grew up in Maplewood,it is terrible to see a young man lose his life,2 policemen shot because they were doing their job protecting others.

My thoughts are that this man was a coward.
My prayers are with the family of Ryan Hummert.

My heart goes out to Ryans family......my thoughts and prayers are with them as well as the two others injured in this incident. It is a sad day when men and women who put thier lives on the line to protect and serve the public, is shot at, killed, or injured, just because they are doing thier job! I will pray that God bless and keep each and every one of you in his loving, protecive arms. To the emergency personnell who had to witness and respond to this call, I hope you get help (if needed) to be able to accept and deal with this, because I know it is very truamatic for you all. As a sister in law of a firefighter recently killed on July 4th, I understand the trauma you have to deal with....as these men and women who serve beside you on calls are your family. I know you most of you spend as much time or even more, than you get to spend with your own family. This is a great loss to Ryans family, as well as to his friends, co-workers, and to the community as a whole as well. Ryan you will always be a hero to us...and will be remembered as a brave young man , just starting out in a career that you loved, was very dedicated to, and proud to do....but also as a good man taken well before his time. You will be greatly missed by all !

Even a bulletproof vest wouldn't protect police or firefighters for getting shot in the head. They need to wear bullet proof head gear.

It's a sad day when firefighters are shot at for doing their jobs. Are they going to have to wear bullet proof vest?

"No body attributed this incidence to global warming. I think many of you need a lesson in reading comprehension."
Reading Comprehension? Before the author goes on a divertive rant about over-populization he clearly attributes this terrible event to global warming by saying:
"As the population increases and global warming makes things hotter, things like this will happen more and more on an everyday basis."
May God bless Ryan as he comes home and look over his family and fellow firefighters who are dealing with this tragedy.

Horrible and tragic , my prayers go out to the Familys of the Firefighters and Police involved. Its a sign of the times the Good Ol U.S.A. is in a tail spin , or morale ethics have been compromised long agao and nothing is getting better . Pray for those who help protect us and serve us at a time of need .

It is a sad, sad world.
God bless Ryan

I am so sorry to hear about this loss. My brothers are both firefighters, and I worry every time they get a call, but you never think this can happen. God bless his family.

No body attributed this incidence to global warming. I think many of you need a lesson in reading comprehension.

Whoever wrote this:
"As the population increases and global warming makes things hotter, things like this will happen more and more on an everyday basis. There is a natural fail-safe switch in all animals, including humans, that triggers a homicidal response when the population gets too thick. This is natures way of keeping balance in the world. We see it as chaos, or insanity, but really it's natural law. It's best just to stay out of highly populated areas for the next twenty years until it all plays out."
Do us all a favor, and get closer to those animals and humans who have an itchy paw / finger on the "fail-safe switch that triggers a homicidal response." You are an IDIOT. You probably vote too. Good Lord! You should error on the side of caution and stay out of our highly populated area for the next 50 years. We'll let you know when you can return.

I'm sorry I don't get the global warming theory. It's ridiculous and stupid! I mean really?...GlOBAL WARMING????? How silly and stupid!