Kansas police detective dies from gun injuries
A police detective in Kansas City, Kansas, died Monday afternoon after being shot by a suspect who led police on an extensive manhunt, according to police and news reports.
"Our detective fought a good fight, but unfortunately he died from his injuries @ approx. 1530 hours," Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler said via Twitter. "Thanks for the support & prayers."
The detective was identified as Brad Lancaster, KCTV said the Fraternal Order of Police reported. Police arrested the suspect, Curtis Ayers, on Monday.
A police source said Lancaster has a wife and at least one child, KCTV said.
Zeigler, in a statement, asked the public to pray for the detective's loved ones.
Mayor Mark Holland said in a statement, "My thoughts and prayer go to the family, friends and colleagues of the KCK police detective who was shot near the Speedway this afternoon."
The early Monday shooting took place on a road just south of the Kansas City Speedway, according to the Kansas City star.
Lancaster was responding to a call l regarding a suspicious person and when he approached Ayers, Ayers fired and took off in the detective's car, according to KCTV.
Earlier in the day, the officer was rushed to the hospital and taken into surgery, according to social media postings from Zeigler, who asked the public to pray for the officer.
After taking off in the detective's car and later ditching it, Ayers was believed to have carjacked and later abandoned another vehicle with two children inside, KCTV reported.
The children were later found to be OK, still in the vehicle and in their car seats, KCTV reported.
An alleged witness, Victoria Gibson, said Ayers drove to her neighbor's garage, said there were two children inside the vehicle he was driving and compelled Gibson's neighbor to give up the keys to his vehicle, according to KCTV.
"No one knew what this guy was going to do," Gibson told the news organization.
As police gave chase, Ayers crashed into a concrete bridge support and then shot another woman whose car he attempted to hijack, KCTV reported.