ST. LOUIS – An elderly man shot by St. Louis police last week is charged with allegedly coming at an officer with a knife.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, the shooing happened on the morning of March 12 in the 5500 block of Wells Avenue in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood.
Police received a 911 call around 7 a.m. from a man claiming that a knife had been pulled on him.
When officers arrived at that location, they saw Leslie Hopkins, 72, standing in the area and wielding a “large, butcher-style knife.”
Police said officers issued numerous commands to Hopkins, telling him to drop the knife. Instead, they allege Hopkins approached them in a threatening manner.
Officers backed up but continued to issue commands for Hopkins to drop the knife.
At one point, police said Hopkins began running towards them. An officer shot Hopkins in the leg. The officer has three years of experience with the department, according to police.
Hopkins was taken to the hospital to be treated. Police recovered the knife from the scene.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Hopkins with unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Hopkins was released on personal recognizance earlier this week and is due back in court on April 17.