KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Police throughout the metro were busy early Saturday morning after nine people were shot, three of whom died.
The first shooting was reported around 1:30 a.m. along Interstate 70 near the Van Brunt Boulevard exit.
Police say four people were shot inside a car. One of the victims died at the scene. Two others were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The fourth victim was in stable condition.
Police closed I-70 for about three hours to further their investigation. The cause of the shooting is still under investigation.
Another person was shot to death on Kansas City's east side about an hour and a half later.
Police say the female victim was found shot to death in a SUV at 5406 Norton Ave. around 3 a.m.
Investigators did not release any suspect information or what may have sparked the shooting.
Shootings in Independence and Blue Springs
Around the same time, two people were found shot at Benton Park at 740 Crane Ave., in Independence, Mo.
Investigators say two groups of men began fighting and that is when the shots rang out. Officers were called to the scene at 2:42 a.m.
Police say one victim died at the scene, while another was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The last shooting happened in Blue Springs, Mo., where two men were found shot at the Chapel Ridge Apartments at 432 SW Moreland School Road around 3:15 a.m.
Just after 2 a.m., a neighbor reported hearing what sounded like someone pounding on a window to an adjoining apartment. Police were dispatched, but the suspect fled the area before officers arrived. Police talked to the neighbor and was told the suspect was a white male, wearing a black jacket.
Then, at about 3 a.m., the same neighbor heard what sounded like glass breaking. Shortly thereafter, police received a phone call from a female caller at the scene. There was screaming and the dispatcher heard a male say, “I’m shot.”
There were several more shots fired. Apparently, the woman’s current boyfriend, Daniel Fuimaonon, was hiding in the closet attempting to hide from the suspect.
When officers arrived at the scene again, they saw a woman running from the apartment building being chased by a 30-year-old man. He is reportedly the woman’s ex-boyfriend.
As the 30-year-old man approached the police officers, he pointed a weapon. Officers then fired shots at the suspect several times.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Fuimaonon and the suspect were transported to local hospitals where they are currently being treated for their injuries.
No charges have been filed yet.
If you have any information on the shootings, you are asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
