A police detective was fatally shot while investigating reports of a suspicious person near a racetrack in Kansas City, Kansas, and a parolee suspected in that shooting and an ensuing string of carjackings was shot and wounded then arrested in neighboring Missouri.
(BostonHerald)- The detective, 39-year-old Brad Lancaster, was shot at least twice around 12:30 p.m. Monday near the Kansas Speedway. He died after undergoing surgery, his department said in a statement.
Police said the gunman shot the detective then fled in the officer’s unmarked car. He later hijacked a vehicle with two children inside before abandoning that in nearby Basehor, Kansas, leaving those kids unharmed.
He then crashed another vehicle while being pursued by officers in Kansas City, Missouri, and was shot by police as he attempted to carjack yet another vehicle. The woman driving that vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police identified the suspect as Curtis Ayers, a 28-year-old man from Tonganoxie, Kansas. He was taken into custody in Kansas City, Missouri, and hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
“This individual was very dangerous. We are so happy that this individual is in custody,” police spokesman Patrick McCallop told reporters. “We are so glad this situation has come to an end.”
In comments posted on the department’s website Tuesday, Police Chief Terry Zeigler expressed thanks for the prayers, messages and support for Lancaster’s family and the department. He said Monday that the detective had “fought a good fight, but unfortunately he died from his injuries.”