Missouri trooper wounded when shots are exchanged outside North Kansas City casino

A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper was hospitalized with moderate injuries late Friday after gunshots were exchanged outside Harrah’s Casino in North Kansas City, leaving a suspect seriously wounded.

Two state troopers arrived shortly before 11 p.m. at the casino’s parking garage after Harrah’s security reported a man acting suspiciously near a vehicle. The troopers attempted to arrest the man, whom the Highway Patrol identified as Ronald R. Morris of Kansas City, after a computer check revealed an active warrant for his arrest.

Morris, 35, resisted and a struggle ensued, the patrol said. Morris allegedly displayed a handgun and shot one of the troopers. The other trooper fired at Morris, who was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to a patrol statement.

The vehicle that Morris had been standing near was later determined to have been stolen, the patrol said.

The injured trooper is a 26-year veteran of the patrol. He was in stable condition Saturday and expected to recover. The trooper who shot Morris was not injured and has been with the patrol for 19 years.

Neither trooper is being identified for now as the patrol’s division of drug crime control continues to investigate.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Missouri trooper wounded when shots are exchanged outside North Kansas City casino."