A recent rash of highway shootings in Kansas City has area drivers on edge.
The Kansas City Missouri Police Department says that 13 highway shootings have occurred in the last month, and the shootings are likely connected.
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.
There was one shooting everyday for 6 consecutive days.
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 5, 5:44 p.m., I- 435 and Bannister Road, Kansas City.
-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.
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.
On Monday, Kansas City authorities met with officials from the FBI and ATF to discuss possible strategies and the police department has amped up patrol in the areas of the shootings.
KSHB reported that three canine units have been brought in to aid in the investigation. The dogs have been specially trained to track ballistics evidence.
There is a $7,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest.
In the meantime, drivers are being urged to be aware of their surroundings.
Sources:
KSHB
KMBC
Kansas City Star