(Missourinet) – According to information from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Police Officer was shot and killed last night in western-Missouri’s Clinton.

According to the Patrol, 37-year-old Gary Michael, who has been with the Clinton P.D. for less than a year, was shot and killed following a traffic stop late last night near the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

The patrol says Officer Michael had stopped a vehicle while on patrol.  They believe the suspect exited the vehicle and shot at Officer Michael.

They also say Officer Michael was able to return fire, but they do not know if the suspect was hit.  The suspect then fled the scene and his whereabouts are unknown.

A person of interest in the incident is 39-year-old Ian McCarthy of the Clinton area. Sergeant Bill Lowe of the Missouri Highway Patrol told KSHB the traffic stop was in regard to a registration violation.

Police believe McCarthy is on foot and still in the Clinton area, which is roughly 75 miles southeast of Kansas City.

Sgt. Lowe said there’s no dash cam or body cam video available of the incident.