Child shot, killed in confrontation in Leavenworth

A small child was killed Friday night in Leavenworth during a confrontation in which a kidnapping suspect exchanged gunfire with police.

Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said it is believed the child was killed by the suspect.

The event began about 7:30 p.m. when Platte Couty authorities notified Leavenworth they were in a high-speed pursuit of a man suspected of abducting a child. The chase crossed the Missouri River into Leavenworth where it ended at a construction site near 20th Street and Metropolitan Avenue.

Kitchens said the man got out of the car and there was an exchange of gunfire between him and officers. The child was shot and killed and Kitchens said police believe the man fired that shot.

Kitchens would not say any more about the child but other media reports said she was a girl.

The man was wounded during the gunfire and was taken to a hospital in Kansas City, where he was in serious condition late Friday.

Kitchens said the Kansas Bureau of Investigation will take the lead in the investigation.

This story was originally published July 18, 2014 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Child shot, killed in confrontation in Leavenworth."