UPDATE 12/30 at 12:00 p.m.: The shooting victim has been identified as Ahkeem Hobby, 27, of KCMO.
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ORIGINAL STORY: KCMO police say a shooting occurred in the parking garage of the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch on Thursday, leaving one man dead and a suspect still on the loose.
The shooting was first reported around 2 p.m.
According to police, officers found the body of the victim in the middle of the parking garage road after they responded.
By Thursday night, investigators continued to search for the suspect.
Police said they were looking for a dark colored, possibly maroon, Chevrolet Impala or Malibu believed to be connected to the crime.
Many people inside the library and nearby restaurants at the time said they were shocked at the shooting.
"It was very quiet in there. I just heard noise," explained Jane Golden, who said she was inside the library at the time of the crime. "Maybe there are a few fender benders out there in that parking lot but nothing like this."
As others waited for information on the crime, they said the large police response made them wonder if it was safe to be outside.
"I had seen flashing lights, but I assumed it was a minor auto accident or something of that sort," said library goer LeAnn Zimmerman. "If it's random, then it's a bit cause of concern and one needs to be more cautious."
With the shooting happening only a short walk from the library, staff said they became concerned after hearing reports about the crime.
"Obviously, we were immediately concerned," explained Kansas City Public Library Deputy Director Carrie Coogan. "So many of the staff members from all over the library came here to find out what was going on and see if we could help."
Coogan said despite the crime, she believed the area was still a safe place to be.
"I'm saddened by it," she told 41 Action News. "You never want to hear about this happening to anyone anywhere. We just want people to know that this area continues to be a safe place."
Hours after police cleared the scene and a car believed to have belonged to the victim was towed away, business returned to normal at the Chipotle nearby.
However, Chayan Bhawdachrya, who lives near the library, told 41 Action News that the crime made him very concerned.
"I've never seen something happening here or heard about it before," he said. "I'm not feeling safe now after this. I have to be careful."
After the shooting, police searched for surveillance video of the incident from businesses close to the scene.
Investigators describe the victim, whose name has not been released, as a man in his 30s.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call (816) 474-TIPS.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
