The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department today confirmed they have positively linked 12 highway shooting incidents.
It was earlier believed there were 13 victims, but KCPD has ruled out one of the shootings as road rage. KCPD says the numbers will likely fluctuate, as they’re still working to investigate similar incidences and rule out others.
This week, the ATF and the FBI were called in to help investigate the case.
#ATFK9 Andi, on the job w/ #KCPolice today, investigating the recent spate of roadway shootings. pic.twitter.com/PE4QsISeY2
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) April 9, 2014
The shootings reportedly began on March 8. The last shooting was reported on April 6.
Ten of the shootings took place in Kansas City, Missouri in an area called the Grandview Triangle– an interchange of five highways: I-49, I-435, I-470, U.S. 50 and U.S. 71– and the remaining three shootings occurred in Lee’s Summit, Leawood and Blue Springs. Three people were shot– All of their injuries were considered not life threatening.
Most of the shootings occurred between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and most of the shootings occurred on or near exit ramps.
Timeline and location of the shootings:
-March 8, 9:45 p.m. I- 435 and I-470, Kansas City.
-March 18, 8:25 p.m., I-70 and Woods Chapel Road, Blue Springs.
-March 18, 8:35 p.m., I-470 and Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit.
-March 29, 1 p.m., 5100 block of State Line Road, Kansas City.
-March 29, 2 p.m., I- 435 and State Line Road, Leawood, Kansas
– March 31, 7:35 p.m., Bruce R. Watkins Drive and I- 470, Kansas City.
– April 2, 5:30 p.m., I-470 and I-49, Kansas City.
– April 3, 9:03 p.m., 109th Street and Holmes Road, Kansas City.
-April 4, 5:30 p.m., I- 435 and I- 470, Kansas City.
-April 4, 8 p.m., I- 435 and I- 49, Kansas City- 55-year-old male was shot in the arm.
-April 6, 2 p.m., I-670 and I- 35, Kansas City.
-April 6, 7:44 p.m., I- 435 and -470, Kansas City- 57-year-old male was shot in the left calf.
.@kcpolice good info exchange at briefing-one incident removed from list. Road rage incident not connected to pic.twitter.com/9iOnkkmJKv
— chiefforte (@ChiefForte) April 11, 2014
At this time, there is no suspect vehicle description, however according to the Kansas City Star, a 58-year-old victim whose vehicle was shot on March 31 at U.S. 71 and I-470, the only other vehicle near hers at the time of the shooting was an older model cream or yellow car with a white vinyl top and tinted windows.
“Investigators are not releasing any suspect or suspect vehicle information because they do not want to provide misinformation, nor do they want the public to focus too closely on a specific type of vehicle or person. Investigators do not want to rule out any possibilities,” KCPD said in a statement.
There is a $10,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest.
In the meantime, drivers are being urged to be aware of their surroundings and call 911 if they notice anything suspicious.
Sources:
KSHB
KMBC
Kansas City Star
Kansas City Police Department