KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A bank robbery, attempted carjacking, shooting and possible explosive device made for a busy Friday afternoon in downtown Kansas City.
The set of suspected crimes all happened along Walnut Street between 10th and 11th streets and police say they are all connected. Just before 4 p.m., a man walked into a bank with a duffle bag and told the teller he had a bomb and demanded money. That set off a chain of events that led to him getting shot by police.
“I work from home and heard two gunshots, or at least a gunshot and an echo. I immediately hopped into my window going, ‘oh, that’s a gunshot,’” explained witness Tom Cox.
Cox lives in a building at 11th and Walnut. After hearing the shots, he had a bird’s eye view.
“I look outside and see cops flying down 11th Street, going down to 10th, two officers hopped out, guns drawn, sprinting down the street,” explained Cox.
Everything started a block away when the suspect allegedly robbed the Commerce Bank at 9th and Walnut. The FBI reports once he got the cash, took off on foot and ran through an adjoining building, the suspect made it to the street and two officers witnessed him try to carjack someone.
“They made contact with the suspect of the carjacking, at this time they shot the suspect,” said KCPD spokeswoman Kari Thompson.
Sources say the suspect made a threatening move toward the officers just before he was hit multiple times.
“I noticed someone lying down on the street right in the middle of Petticoat Lane across from a mexican restaurant. There was probably five or six people surrounding them and then an ambulance showed up,” said Cox
Once the suspect was gone, the black duffle bag became a key part of the investigation because the suspect claimed to have an explosive device. The bomb and arson squad was called in. Even though the events were unsettling for some, Cox took it in stride, saying things happen.
“I think we have a lot of great security here and the police always do a great job, so I feel safe downtown,” said Cox.
KCPD Chief Darryl Forte tweeted on Friday night that the bomb squad determined no explosive device was found.
