KBI investigating after Kansas City, Kansas, police officer shoots, kills armed person
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is looking into what led up to the Kansas City, Kansas police shooting and killing a person early Sunday.
In a Sunday morning news release, a KBI spokesperson said a KCKPD officer shot and killed an armed 19-year-old overnight.
The KBI said the situation started with a noise complaint just before 12:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Ohio Avenue. This is near Mejak Ln. just south of the Strawberry Hill neighborhood.
Less than a half hour later, officers were called back to the area for a report of shots fired.
According to the KBI release, officers found 19-year-old Leonel Lozoya-Esparza armed with a gun at the scene.
The KBI said KCKPD officers gave verbal commands ordering Lozoya-Esparza to drop the weapon. The KBI said Lozoya-Esparza did not comply with the commands and turned toward officers while holding the gun.
This is when the KBI said one KCKPD officer shot his weapon, hitting Lozoya-Esparza.
The KBI said officers immediately attempted life saving measures but Lozoya-Esparza died from his injuries.
Neighbors spoke to KMBC on Sunday about the shooting.
Home security footage showed a large group of people gathered on the street.
"It was like 100 people or more, all 18-22 years old," said Patty Westfall, a neighbor who has lived in the area for 50 years. "It doesn't happen here very often."
Westfall said she was awakened by the commotion and later heard gunfire.
"I heard gunshots...very loud," she said.
Friends of Lozoya-Esparza gathered at the scene on SUnday.
"It was a party," one of them said. "And everyone was supposed to be a fun night. Turned into the sort of worst thing that could happen."
No law enforcement officers were injured.
The KBI will handle the investigation into the shooting. Any findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for review.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
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