Man shot by Clay County sheriff’s deputies charged for lunging at them with knife
A man who was shot by Clay County sheriff’s deputies Saturday now faces two felony charges in relation to the incident.
Aaron Michael Perez-Engel, 38, has been charged with armed criminal action and first degree assault. He was shot after allegedly lunging at sheriff’s deputies with a “large knife.”
The shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the shopping center near the intersection of Northeast Englewood Road and North Oak Trafficway. Police were called on a reported disturbance involving Perez-Engel, who was allegedly armed with a large knife, according to a press release from Clay County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sarah Boyd.
Perez-Engel was spotted by a Clay County sheriff’s deputy patrolling the area, Boyd said in the release. Perez-Engel then allegedly took the knife from his waistband and ran north on North Oak Trafficway. The deputy chased him and backup was called.
Several verbal commands were given telling Perez-Engel to drop the knife, according to Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, but Perez-Engel allegedly did not comply and then ran into a wooded area, according to deputies.
The sheriff’s K-9 units were called to assist officers in the pursuit, according to the press release. Kansas City police, who were asked to investigate, said Perez-Engel stopped but did not drop the knife and then allegedly “ran towards the deputies.” Two Clay County deputies fired their duty weapons, striking him.
Perez-Engel sustained non-life threatening wounds and deputies on scene immediately rendered aid. A knife was recovered at the scene.
Perez-Engel appeared in court Tuesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty.
The Star’s Caroline Zimmerman contributed reporting.
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM.
