by William Crum
Deputy Scott Wood, who was brutally attacked and shot multiple times Wednesday at a convenience store in Kansas City, Kan., is in critical condition, but very stable, and is expected to recover, according to authorities.
In a news conference today at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash said police had a number of people in custody as persons of interest in this case, and a number who were in custody for unrelated charges.
The convenience store was robbed by three persons about 1 a.m. Wednesday, police said. The investigation by the Kansas City, Kan., police is still continuing, and Sheriff Ash said he was not aware of anyone else that is being sought at this time.
Sheriff Ash said he had spoken with Wood, who is on a ventilator, and was able to communicate using hand signals. Wood wants to come back to work as soon as possible, the sheriff said. Wood has been with the Sheriff’s Department since December 2007, and currently works in operations.
According to Dr. Michael Moncure, Wood’s condition is critical and improving. Scott Wood is a strong man and has a strong spirit, Dr. Moncure said.
According to Staci Wood, Scott’s wife, Scott has a strong spirit, and she believes a guardian angel was deftly watching over him when this all happened.
“He is the type of person that would give the shirt off his back if he could. He is the rock in our family,” Staci Wood said.
After the incident happened the family’s pastors came to the hospital to pray with them, she said.
Scott Wood would drop by the Seven-Eleven on Shawnee Drive just to see if the people who work there were OK. That’s the type of person he was, a very caring and giving person, who showed a lot of concern for others, she said.
Blake Wood, Scott’s son, said, “He’s like my Superman.” His dad is the strongest man he knows, he said, Superman is his dad’s favorite hero, and Blake is proud of his dad. “I told him earlier today,” Blake said.
If anyone has any information regarding the case, they are encouraged to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS or a local law enforcement agency.