On Aug. 14, a YouTube channel published body camera footage obtained from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) related to the Feb. 23, 2026, incident in which Christian County Deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope were killed in the line of duty.
MSHP tells Ozarks First the footage was released in error because the investigation had not been officially closed.
The video condenses several hours of law enforcement activity into a 19-minute presentation that has drawn millions of views.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole described the release as disappointing, despite acknowledging it was obtained through legal channels.
Despite the release, Cole does not believe the video will affect the ongoing investigation, which is now under review by the Stone County Prosecutor's Office.
Stone County Prosecutor Wes Weber told Ozarks First he is awaiting additional information before making a determination and provided no timeline for a decision. Weber said his role is limited to determining whether the actions taken during the incident were legally justified. Richard Bird, the suspect accused of fatally shooting the deputies, died at the conclusion of the manhunt.
More details on the story can be found on the Ozarks First Website.
(This story was produced through AI from information written by Parker Padgett, Ozarks First)
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