Independence man charged with assault in stabbing of Kansas City police officer
An Independence man has been charged in the stabbing of a Kansas City police officer, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Austin R. Lewis, 24, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in a news release.
Kansas City Police Department officers responded to 901 Grand Boulevard about 5:50 p.m. Wednesday on a medical call.
The first officer to arrive found a man who seemed agitated and appeared to be having a mental health crisis. Lewis was inhaling an unknown substance, according to the news release. The officer was waiting with Lewis for an ambulance and was trying to calm Lewis down to figure out what medical help he needed. Shortly after, Lewis pulled out a kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed the officer in the chest.
The officer fell down and drew his gun. Then, Lewis dropped the knife and began moving away.
The injured officer, who was not identified, asked for officers to respond and chased Lewis, telling him to stop. Lewis stopped, laid down on his stomach and put his hands behind his back. The officer held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived. Lewis allegedly told officers that he “heard voices, got scared and felt cornered by the officer and stabbed him,” according to the news release.
