One person is dead and four others injured in a series of shootings targeting motorists on highways and roads in Kansas City, Missouri. That sparked a homicide investigation and an hours-long standoff between police and a suspect in nearby Independence.
Authorities believe the incidents, which occurred within about 30 minutes Tuesday night, are related to each other and involve the same person. Investigators are still working to determine what led to the attack.
Here’s what we know so far.
1. Four motorists shot while driving
According to Kansas City police, officers were called to four shooting victims between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. KSHB 41 reports the victim was traveling eastbound on the highway or highway when gunfire came into the vehicle.
The shootings were reported near Interstate 670 and Wyoming Street, Interstate 70 and Paseo Boulevard, Interstate 70 and Prospect Avenue, and Truman Road and Hardesty Avenue.
Police said all four victims were taken to hospital. Three were adults and one was a teenager. The teen is in stable condition, two adults suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the other remains in life-threatening condition.
2. Fatal crashes are now considered homicides
Police are linking a fatal crash at Truman Road and Bennington Avenue to the series of shootings. Police initially responded to what appeared to be a serious traffic accident involving a vehicle that crashed into a utility pole, the Kansas City Star reported.
The driver was taken to hospital, where he later died. While treating him, medical staff discovered what appeared to be gunshot wounds, leading investigators to open a homicide case.
Detectives are trying to determine whether the fatal shooting and crash are related to four other attacks, Kansas City police spokesman Capt. Jack Bechner said.
“Detectives are hoping to hear from or speak with anyone who witnessed the crash or have any information that may have led to the crash,” Bechner said in a release.
3. Police say all five incidents may be related
Investigators believe the fatal shooting is connected to four road assaults.
Detectives believe the shootings are geographically contiguous and linked to a person of interest, KSHB 41 reported.
Police have not publicly revealed a possible motive and continue to investigate whether the victims were randomly targeted or chosen for other reasons.
4. Suspect remains at center of independence standoff
Police tracked the suspect to a home in Independence, Missouri, where they began an overnight standoff.
KSHB 41 reports that the home caught fire and sustained significant damage during the incident. The station also reported that five dogs inside the residence died in the fire.
Kansas City police later took control of the scene and authorities are still working to resolve the situation and the investigation is ongoing.
5. Investigation still ongoing
Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect or announced any criminal charges.
Detectives continue to determine the precise sequence of events, determine where each shooting occurred and determine what may have led to the attacks.
