Independence home explodes after domestic disturbance, 1 dead with gunshot wound
Independence police officers found a man dead from a gunshot wound after a home explosion in west Independence Thursday, a police department spokesman said.
Officers responded around 11 p.m. to the 2300 block of South Arlington Avenue regarding a domestic disturbance involving someone with mental health concerns, police said in a news release.
A preliminary investigation showed there was a disturbance in which one man allegedly fired shots at his brother, according to Officer Bryan Conley, a police department spokesman.
No injuries were reported in the initial shooting, Conley said.
The police department activated its SWAT team after one of the brothers barricaded himself in the residence, Conley said. At one point, SWAT officers could smell the odor of natural gas coming from inside the home. They were able to shut the gas off, Conley said.
About 10 minutes after the gas was shut off, the home exploded.
The brother who had allegedly initially fired shots was found dead inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head, Conley said.
No other injuries were reported in the incident.
The Missouri State Fire Marshall is assisting in investigating the home explosion.
