ST. LOUIS — Law enforcement is investigating a deadly shooting involving an off-duty police officer that happened early New Year’s Day in downtown St. Louis.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, investigators responded at about 2:50 a.m. Wednesday to a call about an officer in need of aid at The Wheelhouse bar, located at 1000 Spruce St., about two blocks from Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

Police said the officer from the Leadington Police Department was working as security at the bar when the shooting happened. The person shot by the police officer died, and the officer, a 40-year-old man with 18 years on the force, was not injured.

Leadington, Missouri is a small town of about 700 people in St. Francois County, northwest of Farmington.

A preliminary investigation revealed that multiple officers from other departments outside the city and St. Louis County were working security at The Wheelhouse and trying to break up a large fight involving 25 to 50 people outside the bar. At least one officer attempted to break up the fight with pepper spray. During the altercation, a 25-year-old man allegedly pulled out a gun. One officer said he told the man to drop the weapon, and when he didn’t, the officer fired at the suspect.

“All of these individuals that were involved in the fight outside of the Wheelhouse were participating in a celebration inside the Wheelhouse. All of the officers who were here were from several jurisdictions outside of the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County. They were all working as secondary employment here at the Wheelhouse providing security,” said St. Louis police Major Janice Bockstruck.

Police said the suspect later died at an area hospital, and his firearm was recovered at the scene.

A 26-year-old man who reported being grazed by a bullet during the altercation was privately transported to the hospital. The injury was not life-threatening, police said.

The Wheelhouse was closed the rest of Wednesday, even though it had advertised a New Year’s Day brunch online. Several people, including a couple who recently moved to the area, bought tickets online and showed up for the brunch, but they quickly discovered the doors were locked.

“It was through Eventbrite, which I usually trust but don’t know. I can understand under the circumstances with that happening. We weren’t even aware of it. It’s so sad. It’s a big city. Unfortunately, there’s violence in any city. It’s unfortunate to hear that it actually happened and it’s not something people should be afraid of,” said Shea Sundali.

Sundali said she and her boyfriend, Braydon Wynne, were celebrating New Year’s Eve across the street at Tin Roof and left shortly before the shooting.

“It’s just crazy because we were over here right before that. I mean, luckily, we left semi-early on in the night, but it’s just sad to see. It’s disappointing honestly,” Wynne said.

By Wednesday afternoon, many people celebrating the New Year at other downtown bars didn’t know about the shooting.

“It’s sad to see for sure. It’s a shame to see, especially in the place you live, but it doesn’t surprise me. I don’t spend a lot of nightlife downtown, so during the day, it is not as bad. But, I try to avoid downtown at night,” said St. Louis resident Dawson Norton.

The Force Investigative Unit, which is responsible for investigating all uses of deadly force by any law enforcement officer that occurs within the city, is investigating the incident, police said.

Police cleared the scene and removed crime scene tape around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.