Two Officers Shot, One Critically Wounded, In Separate Incidents In Kansas City On July 2

Press release from the Kansas City Police Department:

July 3, 2020

Two Kansas City Missouri Police officers were injured in shootings July 2 in separate incidents. One remains hospitalized in critical condition.

In the first incident, the driver of a KCATA bus saw a suspect committing a robbery about 10:30 a.m. Friday. The suspect then got on the bus, and the driver immediately notified police. The officer met up with the bus at Independence and Hardesty. The suspect attempted to shoot the officer as the officer got on the bus. The suspect then shot the bus driver. Other officers arrived, and the suspect shot toward them. One of those officers fired at and struck the suspect.

The officer suffered an abrasion to his shoulder that resulted from the shots being fired at him. The bus driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, 25-year-old Justin Rogers, also had non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was treated and released from an area hospital. Rogers has been charged with multiple counts relating to the shootings and is being held on a $200,00 bond.

The second incident began about 4:30 p.m. July 2. KCPD officers were called to a disturbance in which a man was walking around threatening people with a gun near 31st and Van Brunt. As officers arrived, the suspect ran, and officers ran after him on foot. The suspect began shooting at officers and struck one in the head. Officers returned fire, shooting and killing the suspect. He has been identified as 31-year-old Ky Johnson.

Other officers immediately transported the wounded officer, who has been with KCPD for two-and-a-half years, to Truman Medical Center in very critical condition. The officer underwent hours of emergency surgery. At about 9:45 p.m. July 2, he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit is stable condition.

As of the morning of July 3, the officer is responding to stimulus and can move his arms and legs. He remains in critical condition, but his substantial progress is very encouraging. His family has asked that his name not be released at this time.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating both officer-involved shooting incidents and will provide any further updates on the investigations.

During the course of the second incident, multiple surrounding law enforcement agencies assisted in answering Kansas City’s 911 calls so KCPD officers could be with their wounded colleague, his family, and each other. The KCPD is very grateful for the assistance of police departments from Liberty, Gladstone, Riverside and Independence and the Clay and Jackson County sheriff’s offices.

The KCPD also would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Truman Medical Center for their extensive expertise and efforts in treating our officer.

The Department is providing peer support services and chaplains to its members at several of its stations, as well as at the hospital and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99.

This press release was produced by the Kansas City Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.