Fatal crash may be tied to series of highway shootings in Kansas City, police say
The death of a man who was involved in a crash in Kansas City may have been tied to a string of shootings Tuesday evening, police said.
Officers responded to Truman Road and Bennington Avenue in the city’s Blue Valley East neighborhood on a reported crash. Upon arrival, they found a vehicle with significant damage had crashed into a pole, according to Capt. Jake Becchina, a police spokesman.
A man was found inside the vehicle and paramedics transported him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
While they were working to save his life, medical staff at the hospital found what appeared to be a gunshot wound, Becchina said.
Detectives have since begun a homicide investigation, canvassing the scene of the crash for evidence and witnesses.
“Detectives are hopeful to hear from or speak to someone who witnessed the crash or has any information about what led up to the crash,” Becchina said in a news release.
Police later said the man’s death may be connected to a series of shootings that injured four other people on Kansas City highways Tuesday. One suspect, who police believe was involved in all five shootings, was found in an Independence home.
A standoff involving the suspect ensued into the overnight hours, police said.
Anyone with information about the crash or series of shootings is urged to contact homicide unit detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-8477. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.
