WYANDOTTE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested KBI assistance at approximately 4:42 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.
At approximately 4:09 p.m., the KCKPD received a 911 call requesting assistance with a family disturbance at a residence in the 3200 block of North 84th Place. The caller reported that a family member, later identified as Bruce Charles Thomas, 24, of Kansas City, Kansas, was threatening them.
Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 4:19 p.m. and discovered that the caller had been attacked and sustained minor injuries. Officers attempted to place Thomas under arrest inside the residence, but he fled into an upstairs area. Thomas then emerged from a room armed with a knife and advanced toward the officers. One KCKPD officer discharged their firearm, striking Thomas.
Despite officers rendering life-saving measures, Thomas succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel, and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings, which take several weeks to complete.
The investigation remains ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for review.
