INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI – Police officers in Independence, Missouri, shot and killed an armed man on Thursday evening after responding to a report of an armed disturbance at a residence.
According to Officer Jack Taylor, the police officers were dispatched to the 700 block of North Frandsen Road around 4:40 p.m. The initial report indicated that gunshots had been fired and a person was outside a residence, Taylor said.
Upon arrival, the officers encountered a man at the front door entryway and gave commands that were heard by witnesses. Two officers then fired their weapons, fatally striking the man. Despite providing medical aid, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A firearm was found near where the man was shot, and a fanny pack containing ammunition was discovered around his waist, Taylor said. The man has only been identified as an adult male at this time.
Many details, including whether the man was holding a gun at the time of the shooting, are still under investigation, Taylor said. The possibility of gunshots being fired prior to the officers’ arrival is also being looked into.
The Police Involved Incident Team, made up of detectives from departments in eastern Jackson County, is investigating the deadly force used. They are collecting witness statements and reviewing dashcam footage since the Independence Police Department does not have body-worn cameras, and they do not investigate shootings involving their officers.
Both officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues. The incident remains under investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.