Month: December 2017

Police investigate double shooting near 27th and Quindaro

Kansas City, Kansas, police are investigating a double shooting on Dec. 13 near 27th and Quindaro Boulevard.

The disturbance began in the parking lot of a restaurant and escalated into a shooting, according to a spokesman. A male and female were injured, according to police.

According to a news release from a police spokesman, police officers went to Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Station No. 14 after two victims went to the fire station for medical aid.

The two victims were taken to a hospital where they are both expected to recover, the spokesman said.

The shooting is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Off-duty officer in Costco shooting exonerated by Johnson County DA

An off-duty officer from Kansas City, Kansas, has been exonerated after an investigation into a shooting at Costco.

According to a news release from the Johnson County District Attorney’s office, “It is our conclusion that the off-duty officer acted in accordance with Kansas law as it pertains to self-defense or defense of another. Therefore, no charges will be filed against the officer in connection with this incident.”

Moreover, the release from the office stated that, “It is our belief that this officer acted with extreme courage, and saved an unknown amount of innocent lives by his actions inside the Costco warehouse on November 26.”

Capt. Michael Howell, a 22-year veteran of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, was shopping in Costco on Sunday, Nov. 26, in Lenexa, Kansas, when a suspect came into the store, threatening to shoot customers and brandishing a pistol.

As the store was being evacuated, Howell came forward to a Costco manager, and identified himself as a police officer, making sure someone called 911, according to the district attorney’s news release.

The officer saw the suspect, Ronald Hunt, making his way toward the back of the store, saw the gun and heard him threatening to kill people, according to the district attorney’s statement.

Concerned for the safety of the customers, Howell decided to confront Hunt, the news release stated.

Howell identified himself as a police officer and ordered Hunt to stop and drop his weapon, according to the district attorney’s news release. Hunt did not comply and acted aggressively toward Howell, who then shot Hunt. Hunt died from his wounds.

Howell was not injured. The district attorney’s office stated that no other persons were wounded in connection with this case.

Blue Devils show 50-point improvement at No. 16 Iowa Western

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

It is said that before a young basketball team can run it must learn to walk.

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s freshman-dominated men took a major step in that direction Tuesday night.

Beaten at home 100-42 three weeks ago by an Iowa Western team ranked No. 16 in NJCAA Division I, the Blue Devils stayed within striking range from start to finish in an 84-72 loss – a 50-point improvement and on the Reivers’ home court.

Iowa Western improved to 14-2 with the win while the Blue Devils fell to 4-10 heading into the holiday break.

The Blue Devils don’t resume play until Jan. 6 when they play at On Point Academy in Oklahoma before returning home to play host in the Blue Devil Classic, a four-team event Jan. 12-13.

KCKCC will play Strength N Motion on Jan. 12 and Penn Valley Jan. 13. Fort Scott will be the fourth team and will face Penn Valley Jan. 12 and Strength N Motion Jan. 13.

Iowa Western never trailed Tuesday, jumping in front 10-2 and 17-5 in the opening five minutes but from there on the two teams basically traded baskets.

Closest KCKCC got was 47-41 late in the half but the Reivers’ domination of the rebounding enabled the hosts to maintain a double digit lead throughout the second half.

The Reivers’ 47-29 command of the boards included 20 offensive rebounds and a 23-8 advantage in second-chance points.

Iowa Western was also aided by 23 KCKCC turnovers that gave the Reivers a 23-12 edge in points scored off the mistakes. Iowa Western shot 51.6 percent in building a 49-41 halftime lead but was limited to 11 field goals in 40 second halaf attempts (.275) in only outscoring KCKCC 35-31.

Freshman guard Solomon Thomas led KCKCC with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting while Zion Buckner added 12 points, Sterling Hicks 11, Malcom Tate 8 and DuVonte Beard and Tyson Beringer 6 each. Beringer also had eight rebounds and Hicks seven while Thomas led in assists with four.

Patrick Dembley had 23 points and Isaiah Wade 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead Iowa Western.