Kansas City police officer shoots, injures suspect near 63rd and Swope Parkway

A Kansas City police officer shot a man who allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband during a chase Saturday afternoon, a Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman said.

The man’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the highway patrol.

The officer was not injured.

The incident began when a caller reported an armed disturbance involving a female victim in the 7600 block of Monroe Avenue, Lowe said.

Arriving officers saw the man leaving in a vehicle and gave chase. The vehicle crashed at 63rd Street and Swope Parkway, where the suspect tried to run away.

Officers ran after him, Lowe said. At one point, the suspect ran between two nearby homes and as he neared a fence line, he allegedly started digging around his waistband, Lowe said.

The officer ordered him to show his hands, but the suspect didn’t comply, Lowe said.

“In doing so, he turned around towards the officer and directed a black object towards the officer,” Lowe said. “The officer, fearing for his life, fired his weapon and struck the suspect.”

The suspect’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Officers did find a handgun at the scene, Lowe said.

No one else was injured in the pursuit. Lowe wouldn’t estimate how many shots were fired.

The female victim in the disturbance call was injured and was being treated at the hospital.

Officer Doaa El-Ashkar said the initial caller was a family member of those involved in the disturbance.

She said the officer who shot the man has been with the department for nearly three years.

“It’s a very difficult situation,” she said. “No officer ever wants to fire their weapon, ever.”

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 September 26, 2020 at 3:24 PM.