KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Officers responding to an armed domestic disturbance initiated a pursuit that has snarled traffic near the Three Trails Crossing after the suspect shot himself, according to Kansas City, Missouri police.
The incident started around 1:20 p.m. when KCPD officers were dispatched to “a domestic disturbance involving an assault with a weapon” in the area of Sixth Street and Hardesty Avenue.
After speaking with the victim, the suspect returned to the scene and fled from officers.
“Based on the initial assault with a weapon, and probability that the suspect could be armed, a pursuit was initiated,” police said in a narrative description of the incident sent to local media outlets.
The police chase continued along southbound U.S. 71 and westbound Interstate 435 before KCPD used a tactical-vehicle intervention, commonly referred to as a pit maneuver, to stop the vehicle in the area of Interstate 435 and Holmes Road.
“At that point, the suspect exited the vehicle with a gun and shot himself,” according to police.
No KCPD officers fired a weapon, but the suspect suffered a life-threatening injury from the self-inflicted gunshot and was transported to the hospital.
Two other people who were inside the suspect’s vehicle have been detained for questioning.
KCPD said no one other than the suspect was injured during the pursuit.
The incident and investigation closed westbound I-435 between Wornall and Holmes roads and all ramps leading to westbound I-435, including the ramp from Interstate 49.
Police also shut down southbound I-435 at Bannister Road.
The road reopened around 5 p.m. — a relief for many drivers as an extended closure could have had significant impacts on rush-hour traffic and traffic headed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason game.
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