Interstate 29 at Interstate 435 was the scene of an officer-involved shooting ending in the death of the suspect early on Thursday, May 1.
According to police, the incident started after 6 a.m. in the parking lot of Argosy Casino in Riverside, where a domestic dispute between a woman and her current husband arguing with her ex-husband ended in gunfire. Kansas City police report the ex-husband – later identified as 36-year-old Dustin Johnson – opened fire on the current husband, shooting him several times and then fleeing in a U-Haul truck. That man sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Riverside police attempted to pull the truck over, but it fled up I-29 and Riverside and Platte County Sheriff’s Office deputies began pursuit. A Kansas City officer placed stop sticks on the interstate near Cookingham Drive. The stop sticks were able to stop the truck, and a standoff began.
Kansas City police negotiators spoke to the suspect for a half hour but at around 7 a.m. the suspect exited the U-Haul, gun in hand, and pointed it at officers. Two Riverside officers and one sheriff’s deputy opened fire and shot the suspect, who was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.
No officers were harmed in the incident.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident today,” said Sheriff Erik Holland. “I am grateful for the level of cooperation among the multiple law enforcement agencies involved this morning that work to protect the public. We recognize the need for a complete and thorough independent investigation into this incident and will continue to cooperate to provide transparency.”
The investigation of the officer-involved shooting is being conducted by the Kansas City Police Department.
The investigation for the original domestic assault/shooting that occurred in Riverside will be investigated by the Riverside Missouri Police Department.