Man killed in officer-involved shooting
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) - One person is dead following a police pursuit and officer-involved shooting Thursday that officials said stemmed from an armed carjacking.
St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster announced the death at a press conference Thursday afternoon. He described the situation as a "complex incident" that involved multiple locations throughout the city.
Luster said the incident started with an armed carjacking at about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday near Sixth and Hall streets. Police found the stolen vehicle just after 11 a.m. near St. Joseph and Highland Avenues with two people inside, he said.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle by operating their lights and sirens. The driver refused to stop and fled from police, and at least one person inside the car fired at pursuing officers, Luster said.
“This occurred at multiple locations, multiple times throughout the city of St. Joseph," he said of the pursuit, which continued to involve shots being fired from the fleeing car. "It was a very dangerous situation for the community and public. At this time, we're aware of several buildings that were struck by gunfire during the pursuit.”
The stolen vehicle eventually crashed near 28th and Mitchell. One person was taken into custody while the other ran to the 2500 block of Penn Street, where an officer-involved shooting occurred, Luster said.
Officers immediately assisted the person who was shot, and both people who were in the car were taken to the hospital. There, one person was treated, and the other was pronounced dead.
"Any loss of human life in our community is a tragedy, but I am very proud of the officers of the St. Joseph, Missouri, Police Department who responded in such a heroic manner today, putting their own lives on the line to protect this community and keep this community safe," a visibly emotional Luster said. "I'm also thankful for the St. Joseph Fire Department and Buchanan County EMS for their response and assistance as well as Buchanan County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, all who assisted us during this time."
Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control investigators were called to the scene for a use-of-force inquiry into the matter. Luster said all officers involved in the shooting would be placed on administrative leave, which is the department's standard protocol.
The police department also is in the preliminary steps of its investigation into the overall incident, Luster said. He encouraged anyone with information to call either the police department's detective division at 816-271-5336 or, for those who wish to remain anonymous, the Crimestoppers line at 816-238-TIPS (8477).
Patrick Moore, a witness to the car chase, was in his home near the corner of 24th and Mitchell when he heard police sirens down his street. When he stepped outside, he heard several gunshots.
"My first thought was crossfire," Moore said. "I mean, people were outside when the gunshots came off, they all started running back into their houses, and I ran up the hill there to get away just in case."
After the chase ended, Moore said he and other residents began to pray for those involved in the incident.
"I did notice a lot of people coming and, you know, looking as, you know, is our nature to come and look," he said. "We need to come and to see what happened, but to make sure we pray for the people, you know, and just be there for them if they need it, even after, for the families of both the police officers and the suspects."
News-Press NOW's Kendra Simpson contributed to this story.
