SULLIVIAN, Mo. – A Missouri State Trooper shot and killed a man who pulled a gun on him after fleeing a traffic stop near Sullivan on Wednesday.

According to a release from Sgt. Cody Fulkerson of the Missouri Highway Patrol, the suspect has been identified as 44-year-old Joseph B. Weatherby of Sullivan.

The incident happened shortly after 5 p.m. in the 1600 block of the South Service Road, about 1 1/2 miles west of Sullivan along highway 44.

A preliminary investigation reveals that Weatherby’s vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. After the trooper made contact, Weatherby fled in his vehicle, which resulted in a short car chase. He then abandoned his vehicle in the 1600 block of the south service road and took off on foot. The pursuit continued and the trooper encountered Weatherby behind a residence near the Ditch Witch Groundbreaking Company where he displayed a handgun and was fatally shot by the trooper.

Weatherby was later pronounced dead at Missouri Baptist Hospital.

The trooper was not injured and will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.