August 22 - Police Pull Guns on Each Other Inside Wellston City Hall (ST LOUIS, MO)

[DJ BIGG HOSS]

LINK TO THE ARTICLE: http://m.ksdk.com/news.jsp?key=77356




By Jeff Small

KSDK -- An altercation inside Wellston City Hall Friday afternoon ended with two police chiefs pulling guns and the mayor being treated by paramedics.

City leaders said there have been rampant burglaries, serious drug problems, and now this: a fight between two chiefs.

The Pine Lawn Police Chief said his department received a call for an officer in need of aid just before 3 p.m. at city hall. Officers met with the current police chief, who claimed to have been assaulted by the assistant chief.

That individual who also claimed to have been assaulted was previously in the chief's position before being demoted.

"It got physical, a weapon was pulled and we are doing an investigation and we are in contact with the st louis county prosecutors office," said Pine Lawn Chief Rickey Collins.

It's not clear what lead to the fight, but Pine Lawn officials said the mayor and board members requested police investigate.

"Chief Cossia stated to chief Gilmore that he had no reason to put his hand on him and he pulled a gun and he told him, 'don't you ever put your hands on me,'" said police clerk Kaneka Thames.

Witnesses said the mayor of Wellston tried to step in and break up the fight but became overexerted due to a heart condition. An ambulance was called and he was treated outside the police station. No arrests were made but the assistant chief has been suspended.

A report will soon be forwarded to the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office.