WYANDOTTE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested KBI assistance at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.
At approximately 12:27 a.m., KCKPD officers were initially dispatched to the 500 block of Ohio Avenue for a noise complaint. Shortly after, at approximately 12:49 a.m., officers were dispatched back to the area following a report of shots fired.
Officers encountered a male suspect, later identified as Leonel Lozoya-Esparza, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, armed with a firearm. Officers issued verbal commands ordering Lozoya-Esparza to drop the weapon. Lozoya-Esparza failed to comply with officers’ commands and turned toward them while holding the firearm.
One KCKPD officer discharged their firearm, striking Lozoya-Esparza.
Officers immediately attempted life-saving measures. Lozoya-Esparza 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.
