Driver reports motorist pointing gun at her near Three Trails Crossing

A woman reported to Kansas City police Monday that a motorist pointed a gun at her as she drove through Three Trails Crossing, where many of the recent highway shootings occurred.

No shots were fired in the 1:30 p.m. incident on Interstate 49 just north of Red Bridge Road. The woman said the person with the gun was in a car that was next to her minivan.

Police aren’t sure whether the incident is related to a recent pattern of about 20 shootings on area highways and roadways, 12 of which police have linked through undisclosed evidence. Three drivers have been wounded in the attacks, most of which occurred in Kansas City.

The latest known shooting included in the investigation occurred April 6.

Authorities have said the shooter might be lying low amid the publicity and stepped-up patrols.

Still, investigators are looking into Monday’s report, which is one of several such incidents that have been relayed to them since last week, when police publicly announced a gunman appeared to be randomly targeting innocent motorists.

In another report, a man called police to say his tire had been shot out while driving through the same area, also known as the Triangle. Police followed up and discovered his tire had blown the old-fashioned way.

No bullet holes.

Other drivers have reported guns pointed at them on highways recently, police said. But police later determined the alleged offenders were simply holding cellphones in their hands as they flipped middle fingers at other motorists in road-rage type incidents.

Either way, police are glad people are calling in reports and tips, because police need to know. Any nugget could be important, they said.

Police Chief Darryl Forté said investigators would continue daily briefings on the investigation this week.

This story was originally published April 14, 2014 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Driver reports motorist pointing gun at her near Three Trails Crossing."