One person is dead, police officer shot in head in overnight shooting in Independence
One person is dead and an Independence police officer was in the hospital after a dispute between neighbors erupted in gunfire overnight, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol..
Independence police responded about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday to reports of a person shooting a rifle into a home near E. 8th Street and S. Carlisle Avenue, said the highway patrol, which is handling the investigation into the police shooting.
When police arrived, officers and the suspect exchanged gunfire.
The man who was allegedly firing the rifle was injured and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was identified as a 35-year-old man, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman with the highway patrol.
An officer, a seven-year veteran with the Independence Police Department, was struck in the head, Lowe said. He was taken to a hospital and was conscious and in stable condition.
Shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, Independence police announced the officer had been released from the hospital.
“Great news! Our officer who was shot in last night’s incident was released from the hospital,” the department said on Facebook.
A rifle was found at the scene, although further details about the weapon were not available, Lowe said.
The highway patrol has not said what led to the dispute between neighbors.
Independence police will investigate what led to the shooting, while the highway patrol handles the investigation into the gunfire exchange with police.
The man’s death is the marks the fourth homicide in Independence this year, according to data maintained by The Star. The city saw 13 killings in all of 2020.
Gun violence is the subject of a 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 April 1, 2021 at 7:30 AM.
