Police are investigating shots fired at the Parkville-area License Bureau, 6400 N Cosby Ave., at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9.
According to Maj. Erik Holland of the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, a woman – later identified as Vanessa Richey, 34, of Kansas City - fired one or two shots into mulch outside of the DMV location. Richey was taken to a nearby hospital, Holland said, but no one was injured in the incident.
Richey
On Wednesday, July 10, Richey was charged with making a terroristic threat and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held on $100,000 cash-only bond at the Platte County Detention Center.
According to a witness, Richey went into the DMV office agitated, demanding service, then left. While outside, she allegedly pulled a gun from her purse and fired at least one shot. License bureau patrons and bystanders fled behind the counter or into other offices in the strip mall. Shortly after, the suspect was detained by Kansas City and Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Holland said the sheriff’s office will be handling the investigation moving forward and the motive was unclear. The office remained open for business following the incident.
A 10-minute video of a woman who appears to be Richey has surfaced from a social media account – posted under the name Vanessa Doniphan. In the video, recorded about a week ago, the woman records herself speaking about hard times in her life, her struggles with mental illness and her sometimes violent impulses.