India, Feb. 24 -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol has issued a Blue Alert out of Highlandville following the fatal shooting of a deputy in Christian County, KMBC News reported. A manhunt is underway near Reeds Spring in Stone County for Richard Dean Bird, 45, who is accused of shooting the deputy dead. The highway patrol said that Bird's truck has been found abandoned nearby.

An update said that Bird's vehicle was seen in the area of the shooting just before 4 pm on Monday, February 23. It was reportedly traveling south on U.S. Route 160 from Route HH in Christian County.

The truck has been described as a white 2001 Chevy with an extended cab, a silver brush guard, rusted roof, black body trim, tinted rear windows and a three-ball hit...