UPDATE: Six of the people shot in the gun battle are now out of the hospital. The seventh person shot has been upgraded from critical to serious condition.
Kansas City police say multiple people were taken away due to bullet damage, including a patrol vehicle.
In a post on his blog, Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forté explained the "volatile" situation officers responded to.
"Where others would flee, [officers] went right into the hail of gunfire. They risked their own lives and safety to protect the residents of our city, and their valor has not gone unnoticed. Everyone who responded to the Gregory and Prospect area that night showed up ready to work and with a positive attitude, even knowing the danger and the magnitude of the task ahead," said Forte.
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Kansas City Police officers became targets in a rolling gun battle that left 7 people with gunshot wounds, including one suspect who said he was shot by officers.
Just after 2:00 a.m. Sunday, officers were called to Gregory and Prospect on the sound of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers saw suspects shooting from a moving vehicle.
One officer engaged the gunmen.
Due to the gunfire, three vehicles were involved in an accident.
While securing the scene, officers heard several shots fired in their immediate area. Due to the continuous gunfire, a city-wide assist the officer was broadcast. Law enforcement from numerous surrounding agencies responded and assisted with the incident.
As police secured the scene, six victims responded to local hospitals with gunshot wounds. One victim is listed in critical condition.
Law enforcement personnel had several city streets blocked off. The incident included 4 different crime scenes and spanned form 70th to 72nd streets and from Prospect to Brooklyn.
Charles McCray is visiting his daughter for Thanksgiving. He heard 4 loud noises overnight. He woke to a bullet hole in the car he rented to drive to Kansas City from Chicago.
"Something has got to be done. It's frustrating that I'm involved and I don't know what's going on," said McCray.
Kansas City police reduced the size of the crime scene Sunday afternoon, but continued investigating near 72nd and Brooklyn. Neighbors reported seeing a man wearing handcuffs being escorted from a house on the block by police.
No officers were injured during the incident. One suspect reported being shot by police and was treated for minor injures.
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Lisa Benson can be reached at lisa.benson@kshb.com.
