After officer said he was shot, KCPD finds report not ‘accurate’ and suspends him
A Kansas City police officer who reported he was hit by a bullet Sept. 14 has been suspended after investigators discovered the officer had not been shot as he said.
“KCPD is no longer investigating an aggravated assault against the police officer,” said Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department.
Becchina said police investigated the incident and determined the officer’s account wasn’t accurate. The circumstances are still under investigation.
The officer had reported he was working off-duty at 63rd and Blue Ridge, where he patrolled a shopping center parking lot.
About 1 a.m., he said, he heard noises coming from a nearby treeline. When he went to investigate, he said, he heard gunshots.
The officer said he retreated and radioed for assistance. While taking cover, the officer said, he realized he had been shot, but the bullet hadn’t penetrated his bullet-resistant vest.
The officer did not shoot his own gun and was in fair condition, police said at the time.
He reported he couldn’t locate the suspect.
Police investigating the incident later “discovered the officer’s account was not an accurate report of events,” the department said Monday in a written statement.
The officer was “suspended pending the outcome of further investigation,” the statement said.
The department said no other information would be available Monday.
Last month, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy claimed he was shot by a sniper, setting off a manhunt.
The deputy’s story came under suspicion, The Los Angeles Times reported, and he admitted he hadn’t been shot. The case will be sent to the Los Angeles County district attorney.
BEHIND THE STORY
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The Star had previously covered the police department’s report that the officer had allegedly been shot. On Monday the police department issued a statement saying the officer’s report was not accurate and the officer was suspended.
This story was originally published September 23, 2019 at 3:44 PM.
