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.