News Flash

JCPAO Press Releases

Posted on: June 4, 2020

An Independence man has been charged in the Downtown stabbing of police officer

For Immediate Release

June 4, 2020

An Independence man who told police he was suicidal when he stabbed a Kansas City police officer in the chest has been been charged with 1st Degree Assault, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Austin R. Lewis, dob: 9/25/1995, faces Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Kansas City police officers responded to 901 Grand on a reported stabbing of a police officer. They found the victim, the officer, on the ground. He had been stabbed in the upper left chest. He was in full uniform with clear police markings on his uniform and vest. He had been dispatched to the area on a medical call. He observed the defendant, huffing or inhaling an unknown substance. The officer was waiting with the defendant for an ambulance arrived, when the suspect quickly reached into a pant pocket and pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed the officer in the chest. The victim fell to the ground and drew his firearm. As he raised the gun, the suspect dropped the knife and began moving away. The officer advised dispatchers of his injury and asked for officers to respond. The injured officer also chased the suspect, giving him commands to stop. The suspect did stop and laid down on his stomach with his hands behind his back. The officer/victim then held the suspect at gunpoint until backup arrived. The defendant told police that he was suicidal and trying to kill himself by huffing when he was approached by the officer. He said he heard voices, got scared and felt cornered by the officer and stabbed him. 

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.

Charging Document(s)
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in JCPAO Press Releases

KC man charged in April 30 homicide in KC

Posted on: September 29, 2017

16-year-old KC teen charged in 2016 murder

Posted on: December 23, 2016

KC man charged in Midtown carjacking

Posted on: November 4, 2016

KC man charged in rape of 14-year-old girl

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Charges in Grandview robbery

Posted on: April 20, 2016

Guilty plea in child death case

Posted on: April 13, 2016

KC man charged in KC car chase

Posted on: April 8, 2016

Police officer’s conviction upheld

Posted on: April 5, 2016

Charges filed in fatal KC shooting

Posted on: April 1, 2016

Charges filed in Independence murder

Posted on: March 31, 2016

Independence eluding leads to charges

Posted on: March 11, 2016

Sexual assault of 15-year-old

Posted on: March 9, 2016

Charges in weekend chase, crash

Posted on: March 6, 2016

Sword-wielding man leads police on chase

Posted on: February 25, 2016

Charges in Monday shooting

Posted on: February 24, 2016

Two charged in double homicide

Posted on: February 3, 2016

Manslaughter charges filed in 2015 wreck

Posted on: January 25, 2016

One charged in KC rape

Posted on: January 22, 2016

Charges in Jan. 9 gun slaying

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Messina honored by KCMBA

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Independence murder

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Grandview hit-and-run

Posted on: December 30, 2015

Solar energy theft involved area churches

Posted on: December 16, 2015