For Immediate Release
Dec. 1, 2016
A witness to the officer-involved shooting near 8th and Van Brunt on Wednesday made statements aired tonight by local media that the person shot by Kansas City police was unarmed and complying with officers at the time he was shot.
This statement contradicts what the same witness told police immediately following the shooting. It also contradicts the statement of another witness to the shooting.
Our office is committed in every homicide investigation to ensuring that we have all information before making a charging decision. We do not expect to make further comment on the shooting at 8th and Van Brunt, its investigation or our office’s handling of our process until we determine whether to file or not to file criminal charges related to this incident. We did, however, believe that it was imperative to clarify tonight that we are aware that this witness’ statement to the media contradicts his earlier statement to police.