Clay County deputy fires shots, striking driver following pursuit Friday, police say
A Clay County deputy fired shots at a driver Friday afternoon after a car authorities were pursuing allegedly hit another deputy, according to a statement provided by Kansas City police.
The incident started around 4:10 p.m. when the deputies tried to stop the vehicle, a Ford Taurus, for an alleged traffic violation near the Worlds of Fun water tower, according to Capt. Will Akin of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The car didn’t stop for the deputies and a pursuit ensued, Akin said.
At one point, one of the occupants of the car was allegedly seen throwing a firearm from the vehicle in the vicinity of 56th and Drake streets, Kansas City police said in its statement later Friday night.
The chase ended in the 5600 block of N.E. Vivion Road after the car came to stop, police said.
Shots were fired soon after.
“The deputies exited their vehicle in an attempt to take the suspects into custody,” police said in a statement Friday night. “The suspects refused to follow the deputies verbal commands. The suspect drove the vehicle towards the deputies. After striking one of the deputies with their vehicle, the other deputy discharged his firearm. “
The driver was struck by gunfire, police said. Police don’t know yet how many shots were fired.
After the driver was shot, the car rolled off the roadway and struck the corner of a house.
Akin said the deputies then pulled the driver out of the car and rendered first aid.
The driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police have not released his name but said he is a 21-year-old man.
A passenger in the car, a 20-year-old man, was not reported injured. He has been detained for questioning, police said.
The deputies were not injured.
The sheriff’s office requested the Kansas City Police Department to lead the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.
Police said investigation at the scene showed that the car was reported to be stolen.
According to Akin, the deputies involved in Friday’s incident included a field training officer and a deputy who is in training. Police later said the deputy who fired the shots was the field training officer.
The investigation was ongoing Friday night. Police said the firearm that was reportedly thrown from the car during the pursuit has not been located.
Anyone who may have located a firearm in the area is asked to call the Kansas City Police Homicide Unit at 816-234-5043.
This story was originally published August 30, 2019 at 8:23 PM.
