Crime

Olathe police fatally shot man during traffic stop from another vehicle, allegedly had knife

A man was shot and killed Saturday evening following an Olathe police traffic stop in the 200 block of North Water Street, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.
A man was shot and killed Saturday evening following an Olathe police traffic stop in the 200 block of North Water Street, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.

Olathe police shot and killed a 58-year-old man during a traffic stop Saturday evening.

At 5:43 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Water Street, according to a statement from Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.

A separate, unrelated vehicle arrived as officers were completing the traffic stop. According to Yeldell, the driver of the car, a 58-year-old man, then came toward officers with a knife.

The two officers fired their handguns at the man, and he was declared dead after receiving medical treatment at the scene, Olathe police said in the statement.

No officers were injured.

Two officers fired their hand guns and killed a man who approached police with a knife as they were conducting a traffic stop, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.
Two officers fired their hand guns and killed a man who approached police with a knife as they were conducting a traffic stop, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department. Matti Gellman

The Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team are investigating the shooting, including members from multiple law enforcement agencies in the county.

On New Year’s Eve, Olathe police also shot and killed a 27-year-old man who had schizophrenia.

Olathe police said that the officers involved in Saturday’s shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Olathe Police at 913-971-6950 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available.

This story was originally published June 3, 2023 at 8:47 PM.

Matti Gellman
The Kansas City Star
I’m a breaking news reporter, who helps cover issues of inequity relating to race, gender and class around the metro area.
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