Police reclassify Olathe shooting that killed Kansas City man as homicide
A Sunday shooting that left one man dead in Olathe is now being investigated as a homicide, according to police.
Officers with the Olathe Police Department responded to the 2300 block of East Willow Drive at 7:55 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a shooting, department spokesperson Sgt. John Moncayo said in a news release.
There, they found 51-year-old James Hart, of Kansas City, suffering from gunshot wounds, Moncayo said. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died.
Moncayo said all parties involved in the incident have been contacted, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The ongoing investigation was officially reclassified as a homicide Tuesday, Moncayo said.
The fatal shooting marks the first homicide in Olathe in 2026, compared to three at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at 913-971-6363 or the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 4:45 PM.
