Melton was struck and taken to a nearby hospital, where he died at close to 3 p.m., KMBC reported.
Advertisement
Authorities were still investigating, and a press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday morning, according to Zeigler. He said it was painful to sit in that room and see the grief-stricken faces.
Sue Goble didn’t know Melton too well, but when she showed up with a wreath, a fellow officer walked her arm-in-arm. “Brooke and I join the entire KCK community in praying for Capt. Robert Melton and our heartfelt sympathies go out to the broken-hearted family he leaves behind”.
Ham also called it a “large crime scene”.
Capt. Robert Melton, 46, was searching for the suspect when he drove up to someone who matched that person’s description just before 2 p.m., police spokesman Tom Tomasic said.
The officers set a perimeter and took a suspect into custody a short time later.
Asked whether there’s evidence that the officers on the scene were ambushed, Ham said he didn’t know, adding, “The investigation needs to play out before that can be determined”.
“As far as we know this started out as a crime that we were investigating, so to just say that he was shot for no reason, we don’t know that yet”.
The killing of Robert David Melton brought condolences from across the country, with local and Kansas state officials remembering him as a dedicated public servant.
Investigators say Melton was one of several officers who responded to a call at 2nd and Edgerton.
Statement from Gov. Sam Brownback: “Serving his community, Captain Melton today made the ultimate sacrifice laying down his life in the line of duty”, said Governor Brownback.
Chief Terry Zeigler said during a news conference Wednesday that authorities believe they have all suspects in custody, but no charges have been announced.
A Kansas police captain has been fatally shot in a string of attacks on police officers. Melton was declared dead at a hospital. We’re standing with, and praying for, our brothers and sisters with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.
The suspected gunman that killed three officers and injured three more, Gavin Long, speaks on Youtube about racial oppression, protesting, and more.
Before Capt Melton could get out of his vehicle, the suspect opened fire, hitting the officer multiple times, Mr Tomasic said.
Advertisement
The fatal chain of events began when a person called 911 at around 1:30 p.m. CT (2:30 p.m. ET) to say multiple people were firing at them from a vehicle, reported NBC affiliate KSHB.
