Local

See the emergency response to Independence shooting that killed an officer, court worker

By Emily Curiel , Tammy Ljungblad and Nick Wagner
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence.
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com

An Independence police officer and a court worker were killed in a shooting Thursday that also injured two more officers, according to police and court officials.

The shooting occurred at a home in northeastern Independence on the 1100 block of North Elsea Smith Road, near East Bundschu Road, shortly after 1 p.m., said Cpl. Justin Ewing, a spokesman with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The victims were taken to Centerpoint Medical Center, two of them in critical condition, the Missouri Highway Patrol said.

Officials confirmed Independence police officer Cody Allen was killed in the gunfire, along with Jackson County courts civil process server Drexel Mack.

The Jackson County Circuit Court said in a news release that Mack had been shot by someone inside the home during an eviction.

“We are devastated that a court employee, who is a public servant, was shot by a member of the public while performing their job,” said Presiding Judge Jalilah Otto. “Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with our employee, our entire Court family, and the Independence Police Department.”

Officers from multiple agencies, including tactical units, responded to the scene.

The situation continues to evolve, and you can find the the latest updates here.

Police vehicles line up for a procession to escort the body of fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen from Centerpoint Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Allen was shot and killed in the line of duty hours earlier who in the northeast part of the city.
Police vehicles line up for a procession to escort the body of fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen from Centerpoint Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Allen was shot and killed in the line of duty hours earlier who in the northeast part of the city. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Stephanie Collins, left, of Belton, and Patti Candillo of Independence, embraced after they paid their respects to fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen, who was shot and killed during an eviction Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Collins said her brother Scott Collins, who had the day off, is an officer with the Independence Police Department. Her father is a retired police officer.
Stephanie Collins, left, of Belton, and Patti Candillo of Independence, embraced after they paid their respects to fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen, who was shot and killed during an eviction Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Collins said her brother Scott Collins, who had the day off, is an officer with the Independence Police Department. Her father is a retired police officer. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
An unidentified woman and unidentified law enforcement officer embrace outside Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence Thursday after an Independence police officer and court process server died in a shooting incident in eastern Independence . Multiple people injured in the incident were taken by ambulance to the hospital.
An unidentified woman and unidentified law enforcement officer embrace outside Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence Thursday after an Independence police officer and court process server died in a shooting incident in eastern Independence . Multiple people injured in the incident were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Kendrick Calfee kcalfee@kcstar.com
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence.
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com
Two Independence police officers were shot, one fatally, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in the northeast part of the city, a police spokesman said. After word of the shooting, police gathered outside of Centerpointe Medical Center in Independence.
Two Independence police officers were shot, one fatally, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in the northeast part of the city, a police spokesman said. After word of the shooting, police gathered outside of Centerpointe Medical Center in Independence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Police line up for a procession to escort the body of fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen from Centerpoint Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Allen was shot and killed in the line of duty hours earlier who in the northeast part of the city.
Police line up for a procession to escort the body of fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen from Centerpoint Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Allen was shot and killed in the line of duty hours earlier who in the northeast part of the city. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Police officers gather in the parking lot of Centerpoint Medical Center escorting after an Independence police officer who was shot and killed during a call Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in the northeast part of the city.
Police officers gather in the parking lot of Centerpoint Medical Center escorting after an Independence police officer who was shot and killed during a call Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in the northeast part of the city. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Jackson County 16th Judicial Circuit residing Judge Jalilah Otto announced at a news conference that Drexel Mack, a civil process server with the courts, was one of two people killed in a shooting in Independence Thursday. Independence Chief of Police Adam Dustman, left, delivered the news that police officer Cody Allen also died in the shooting.
Jackson County 16th Judicial Circuit residing Judge Jalilah Otto announced at a news conference that Drexel Mack, a civil process server with the courts, was one of two people killed in a shooting in Independence Thursday. Independence Chief of Police Adam Dustman, left, delivered the news that police officer Cody Allen also died in the shooting. Kendrick Calfee kcalfee@kcstar.com
Law enforcement officials and medical personnel work the scene of an officer involved shooting near the intersection of Elsea Smith Road and Bundschu Road on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, east of Independence.
Law enforcement officials and medical personnel work the scene of an officer involved shooting near the intersection of Elsea Smith Road and Bundschu Road on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, east of Independence. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence.
Tactical police vehicles remain outside of the house at 1111 N. Else Smith Road where a suspect opened fire on police and a civil process server on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com
Independence Chief of Police Adam Dustman chokes up Thursday while delivering the news that Independence police officer Cody Allen was one of two people killed in a shooting in the eastern part of the city. The other person killed was civil process server Drexel Mack.
Independence Chief of Police Adam Dustman chokes up Thursday while delivering the news that Independence police officer Cody Allen was one of two people killed in a shooting in the eastern part of the city. The other person killed was civil process server Drexel Mack. Kendrick Calfee kcalfee@kcstar.com
Daniel Turner, 7, son of a Buckner police officer and the nephew of an Independence police officer, lit candles as he paid his respects to fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen, at the police memorial outside of the Independence Police Department, 223 N. Memorial Dr.. on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Daniel visited the memorial with his mother, Heather Parsons, of Independence, who said she learned of the shooting when Daniel’s school, Elm Grove Elementary went on lock down in the Fort Osage School District.
Daniel Turner, 7, son of a Buckner police officer and the nephew of an Independence police officer, lit candles as he paid his respects to fallen Independence police officer Cody Allen, at the police memorial outside of the Independence Police Department, 223 N. Memorial Dr.. on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Daniel visited the memorial with his mother, Heather Parsons, of Independence, who said she learned of the shooting when Daniel’s school, Elm Grove Elementary went on lock down in the Fort Osage School District. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Law enforcement officials and medical personnel work the scene of an officer involved shooting near the intersection of Elsea Smith Road and Bundschu Road on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence.
Law enforcement officials and medical personnel work the scene of an officer involved shooting near the intersection of Elsea Smith Road and Bundschu Road on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Independence. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com
An ambulance and a police car leave the scene near Missouri 7 Highway and Bundschu Road in Independence Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, after multiple police officers were reported shot in the area.
An ambulance and a police car leave the scene near Missouri 7 Highway and Bundschu Road in Independence Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, after multiple police officers were reported shot in the area. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Law enforcement officers were staged along Missouri 7 Highway and Bundschu Road in Independence Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, after multiple police officers were reported shot in the area.
Law enforcement officers were staged along Missouri 7 Highway and Bundschu Road in Independence Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, after multiple police officers were reported shot in the area. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 6:08 PM.

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