Independence police shoot armed man after car chase into Liberty, highway patrol says
An Independence police officer shot an armed man Tuesday afternoon after a police chase ended in Liberty, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol, which is investigating the incident.
The incident began when an Independence officer attempted a vehicle stop and the man fled north on Highway 291, said Sgt. Andy Bell, a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Liberty police deployed spikes, deflating two of the truck’s tires.
The pursuit forced the closure of Leonard Street between Mill and Arthur Streets, according to Liberty police on Twitter.
The suspect, whom Bell said he believes is a man in his 30s, then got out of the truck.
“When he exited that vehicle, he had a handgun in his hand and pointed it at the officer,” Bell said.
The Independence officer fired at the man.
The shooting occurred at about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The man was transported to a hospital by ambulance. His condition is unknown.
This is the second time in less than a week that the highway patrol has responded to an incident involving the Independence Police Department.
On Thursday, Independence police exchanged gunfire with two suspects in a carjacking. One of the suspects was wounded.
In May, an Independence officer shot and killed a man in Kansas City after a car chase crossed into the city. The shooting is being investigated by the Kansas City Police Department, who said the burglary suspect allegedly fled from his car when the officer shot him. Police said a firearm was found at the scene, but provided few other details.
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America and sponsored in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help.
To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 3:31 PM.
