The Associated Press
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- Authorities said they have identified the man shot and killed by a Harrisonville police officer last week as he allegedly tried to wrestle a gun away from a Cass County sheriff’s deputy.
The dead man was identified Monday as 43-year-old Don Campbell.
The incident began Friday afternoon in Harrisonville when police received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance, Police Chief Norman Schnorf said. Police said Campbell had gone berserk and scared his children by yelling and breaking things.
The caller told police Campbell might be armed with a shotgun and a .357-caliber revolver. Police said Campbell’s estranged wife called about the same time, reporting that Campbell had threatened her over the phone while she was at work.
Police said as they reached Campbell’s home, he left in a pickup truck, going north on U.S. 71 toward his parents’ home, near Peculiar. Soon, a Cass County sheriff’s deputy joined the chase. Campbell then turned and pulled into his parents’ driveway, authorities said.
Campbell ran toward the house, and officers followed.
“They were trying to make an arrest,” Cass County Sheriff Dwight Diehl said. “He charged (at them), and they pushed him off, and he charged again.”
Campbell then grabbed the deputy’s drawn handgun, Diehl said. A Harrisonville officer then shot him in the head. Authorities said Campbell was not armed during the shooting.
The officer who shot Campbell has been placed on administrative leave. The department did not release the officer’s name. The investigation was continuing.