Child killed after man exchanged gunfire with officers was not shot by police, investigation says

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced on Tuesday who shot a child who was killed after a man exchanged gunfire with officers in November in a town north of Excelsior Springs.

According to an investigation by the highway patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the child died after being shot by Brett J. Yager, 26, and “was not struck by law enforcement gunfire.” No charges are expected to be filed.

Lawson Police and Ray County sheriffs were called around 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 to 213 Montgomery Street in Lawson, about 40 minutes northeast of downtown Kansas City, on a domestic disturbance call, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol news release.

They learned that Yager had assaulted a woman. While there, authorities were told a child was inside the residence. They contacted Yager inside the residence, then he fired multiple times at law enforcement officers, striking a Ray County Deputy.

Officers returned fire and called for backup, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Tactics and Response Team who then entered the residence just after 9 p.m. and found Yager and the child dead.

Preliminary autopsy results show Yager shot the child and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the release. The injured deputy was taken to a hospital and later released. No other injuries were reported and no charges are anticipated.

This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 2:06 PM.