A Kansas City, Kansas, police captain discharged a firearm at a suspect when the off-duty officer was confronted in a deadly force situation Sunday at a Costco store in Lenexa, Kan.
According to a news release from the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, Capt. Michael Howell, a 22-year veteran of the police force, was shopping at the time of the incident. Howell fired at a suspect when confronted with deadly force, according to the news release.
Media reports have stated that multiple shots were heard as an armed assailant confronted people in the store. The assailant was killed.
The Johnson County Officer Involved Shooting Team is investigating the incident, according to the news release.
According to a spokesman for the Lenexa Police Department, the incident happened about 11:09 a.m. Sunday.
Lenexa police officers responded to the Costco on a report of a gunman inside the business yelling and threatening customers, according to a Lenexa police news release. When they arrived, Lenexa officers learned the KCK officer had engaged the gunman in the store. He had been made aware of the gunman by fleeing customers, according to the news release.
The armed man who died in the incident was identified as Ronald O. Hunt, 58, of Edwardsville, Kan.
There were no other injuries from customers or Costco employees, according to Lenexa police.
Howell previously was honored for bravery, receiving a certificate of commendation, in the 2013 Kansas City, Kansas, police awards ceremony.