KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Johnson County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect in a stabbing at the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto that occurred late Friday morning.
Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, the sheriff's office notified the public that Jonathan Lunceford, 55, of Blue Springs, was the suspect who was shot and killed by deputies Friday.
Sheriff Byron Roberson says that just before 11 a.m., Johnson County dispatch received a call about a stabbing at the plant.
Deputies arrived shortly after and found a person with multiple stab wounds.
Authorities then located the suspect. The interaction between the suspect and deputies ended in the suspect being shot and killed at the scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
No deputies or officers were injured in the incident.
The Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigations Team is handling the investigation.
De Soto Mayor Rick Walker provided a statement on Friday's incident, which reads below.
I had hoped I would never be the Mayor who has to make a statement including “thoughts and prayers,” but today our community has experienced an incident where such a statement is appropriate. I am deeply saddened to learn of the incident at the Panasonic construction site today. My thoughts are with everyone affected as we await further details.
"The Johnson County Sheriff's Office has a large presence in the area of the Panasonic plant near 103rd and Astra Pkwy," a sheriff's spokesperson posted on social media earlier Friday.
The spokesperson said there was no active threat to the public.
The spokesperson expected law enforcement to remain on the scene for an extended period of time.
A Panasonic spokesperson provided the following statement to KSHB 41 News:
"We are aware of the law-enforcement involved incident at the De Soto, KS, facility," the spokesperson said. "There was not an active shooter, and we are working closely with the appropriate authorities. We have no additional details to share at this time."
KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan reported lots of cars leaving the site earlier Friday.
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