A Missouri man has been taken into custody following the fatal shooting of a Christian County deputy, bringing an end to a manhunt that prompted a statewide Blue Alert, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Richard Dean Bird, 45, was apprehended early Tuesday morning in connection with the shooting that occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Blue Alert canceled, suspect in custody in deadly shooting of Christian County, Mo. deputy
Missouri State Highway Patrol says the Blue Alert has been canceled and the suspect is in custody.
ORIGINAL STORY: A Blue Alert was issued Monday for Richard Dean Bird, 45, the suspect… pic.twitter.com/3Izbryszlr [2]
— zamohappy (@zamohappy) February 24, 2026 [3]
Authorities confirmed the arrest in a social media update.
“Blue Alert cancelled. Suspect in custody,” the Missouri State Highway Patrol said on X early Tuesday.
The deputy was shot near Highlandville in Christian County, triggering a large-scale search for the suspect, who was considered armed and dangerous.
Law enforcement agencies across the region mobilized after the shooting as officials warned the public to remain alert.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol described Bird as a bald White man with brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing about 145 pounds.
Authorities had earlier identified the suspect vehicle as a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck with Missouri license plate 9MGX36.
The truck was seen near the scene of the shooting and was later reported traveling southbound on U.S. Route 160 from Route HH in Christian County.
U.S. 160 runs through southern Missouri and crosses into north-central Arkansas east of Harrison.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted in the search effort, confirmed Monday night that the vehicle had been located. “Truck has been located,” the agency wrote on X.
The Blue Alert system, similar to Amber Alerts, is activated when a suspect is believed to have seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer and may pose an ongoing threat to the public.
The alert was widely distributed across Missouri as authorities worked to track Bird’s whereabouts.
Several Missouri lawmakers reacted to the deputy’s death.
“A deputy in my home county was shot and killed today. Erin and I are praying for his family. May justice be swift,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., described the incident as “a devastating loss in Christian County.”
“As local law enforcement works to bring the suspect to justice, my prayers are with the deputy’s loved ones and those who served shoulder to shoulder with him to keep Missouri safe,” Schmitt wrote on X.
Missouri State Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg also addressed the tragedy on Facebook, writing:
“My heart is broken for our deputy’s family. While they understood that this profession carries risk, senseless acts like this are beyond comprehension.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting remains ongoing. Officials have not yet released the name of the fallen deputy pending notification of the family.
With Bird now in custody, authorities say there is no longer an immediate threat related to this case. Additional details are expected as the case proceeds through the legal system.