KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Lawrence city employee shot and killed an intruder during an altercation Monday morning at City Hall, per Police Chief Rich Lockhart.
Lockhart said officers were called to City Hall shortly after 8 a.m. on a disturbance.
Officers later learned of a physical altercation, which Lockhart described as a "fight," involving two armed city employees and an intruder.
The intruder allegedly forced his way into the building through a back door and went up the stairwell, breaking a glass window in the stairwell door to the fourth floor, which houses the offices of the city manager, city attorney and the budget manager.
The intruder reached his arm inside the broken window and was able to gain access to the waiting area, which is secured and not open to the public.
When the city employees attempted to remove the man, the altercation ensued.
During the altercation, one of the city employees, who was armed with a gun, shot the intruder, a 28-year-old male from Minnesota.
Lockhart said the man died.
No city employees were seriously injured.
Police continue to investigate the incident with cooperation from the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.
Because the man was from out of state, Lockhart said officers are working to determine why he was at City Hall. Lockhart also said the investigation will determine whether the man had a weapon.
The city employee, who police said was authorized and trained to carry a firearm in the building, has been placed on administrative leave and is "doing as well as can be expected."
Cameras on the fourth floor captured the incident, but Lockhart said the footage cannot be released as the investigation is pending.
While the Lawrence City Commission meeting on Tuesday will proceed as usual, police said City Hall, including the municipal court offices, will be closed until Thursday.
"We are committed to the safety and security of our community, especially within our public buildings, and City Hall remains a safe place for our community and staff," Lawrence mayor Brad Finkeldei and the Lawrence City Commission said in part in a joint statement on social media.
In a news conference Monday morning, City Manager Craig Owens thanked police for their work during this "disturbing incident."
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