By Christine Vendel
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 21-year-old man shot by police in rolling gun battle along Prospect Avenue Tuesday has died, Kansas City police confirmed today.
Police did not release the man’s name, pending notification of relatives.
Tactical officers were trying to pull over a vehicle to arrest someone wanted on felony charges at 6 p.m. near Gregory Boulevard and Prospect Avenue, but the vehicle sped off and at least one occupant opened fire at officers.
Officers pursued for about 20 blocks and exchanged gunfire with the occupants along the way. A police officer using a .223 caliber rifle fired more than 20 rounds from his weapon and apparently hit one occupant in the suspect car in the back.
Police believe tactical officers shot out at least one tire of the suspect vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and wreck near 51st Street and Prospect. The wounded occupant and two others stayed with the wreckage, but one occupant tried to flee. He got out of the car, dropped a handgun and sprinted off, but officers caught him. Police found the assault-type rifle and a “sizable” amount of narcotics inside the wrecked car.
Police said they expected prosecutors to file charges today against the three surviving occupants of the suspect car.
The rolling gun battle was the second time Tuesday that Kansas City officers came under fire and returned fire.
At 1:45 p.m., two tactical officers were shot by a gunman during a car check at Gregory Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue. The officers returned fire, critically wounding the 23-year-old gunman. One officer was treated for an arm wound. The second officer remains in a hospital today with critical injuries from three gunshot wounds.
Police arrested two persons who were inside the gunman’s car. Prosecutors may file charges against them and the wounded gunman today.
Copyright 2007 The Kansas City Star