Family shocked by death of man accused of killing 2, abducting daughter in Platte County

Family members of the man that law enforcement officers in Platte County shot and killed Friday morning following a series of crimes he allegedly committed, said it was a shock and tragedy to his loved ones.

Before his death, authorities had identified George C Manning, 43, as a person of interest in a Thursday night double homicide and child abduction, issuing an Amber Alert for his own daughter Giuliana Manning, 5, who has since been found safe.

“We are just trying to figure it out. We don’t understand…it’s a shock,” said Sharon Manning, a cousin of George.

George Manning allegedly shot and killed a woman at the Riverside Car Wash near the intersection of Northwest Vivion Road and Northwest High Drive in Riverside around 11:15 p.m., said Capt. Jeffrey Shanks, a spokesman with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. Shanks said they don’t believe Manning had a connection to the first victim, and it appeared he wanted her vehicle.

Manning then allegedly drove to a home in Platte County, shot and killed a young boy, severely injured a woman believed to be Giuliana’s mother, and kidnapped Giuliana.

Sharon Manning told The Star that his family did not know of any previous conflict between Manning and Guilana’s mother. In fact, she had seen the child’s mother around at family parties recently.

“He was a loving person, he loved all of us,” said another cousin of Manning. “He loved his family. He loved those that loved him. This is tragic and our heart goes out to everybody that was involved.”

Around 5 a.m. Friday morning, George Manning reportedly gave Giuliana to one of his family members. The highway patrol canceled the Amber Alert. The girl was found safe and unharmed.

Around 7:30 a.m., officers with the Kansas City Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security allegedly spotted Manning walking with a gun along Northwest Vivion Road, said Cpl. Justin Howard, a spokesman with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop A.

Exactly what happened before Manning died is unclear. Of the interaction, a statement from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office says Manning, “was shot during an officer involved shooting and was declared deceased at the scene.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating that shooting.

Manning’s family members said he has a criminal background but was not diagnosed with a mental illness to their knowledge. They do believe he could have been suffering from depression.

A man with the same name and born the same year pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in 2009, according to court records.