The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department and the surrounding community continues to mourn the loss of a police captain that was shot to death Tuesday afternoon, but officials are now saying that his death was not part of a planned attack against police.
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Robert David Melton attempted to track down one of the fleeing suspects, during which time the suspect fired into Melton’s patrol auto, striking the officer through the window.
Investigators say Melton was one of several officers who responded to a call at 2nd and Edgerton.
But while the shooting did not appear to be connected to the tense atmosphere nationwide, the city’s police chief – who has now seen two officers killed in a matter of months – said he was concerned about the consequences of protests against how police use force. In early May, detective Brad Lancaster was fatally shot near the Kansas Speedway, and Melton had served in the police honor guard at Lancaster’s funeral. Melton tried to cut him off with his police auto, but the suspect pulled out his gun and opened fire. Melton got out of the auto and was shot several times.
Two people were in custody in the aftermath of Melton’s death, though charges had not yet been filed by late Wednesday morning, police said in an email.
Wagle cited Obama’s public comments about shootings by police in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which were followed by deadly attacks on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge.
Members of the clergy joined law enforcement at the press conference to talk about ending the division and coming together to lift up law enforcement officers.
They two suspects have not been identified, but were described by Zeigler as “18, 20 years old, young men”. Zeigler said he was a military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star.
The Kansas lawmaker said that Obama portrayed the police officers involved in those deaths as “people of bias”.
“We do not believe that Capt. Melton’s death was a planned ambush against police”, said Mayor Mark Holland. He said it wasn’t unusual that Melton, as a captain, was responding because Melton’s philosophy was to “lead from the front”.
He also said the attack isn’t part of the recent string of shootings in the US, but that “hate against police has got to stop”. A very grief-stricken Ziegler thanked community for outpouring of support.
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Capt. Melton’s visitation will be from 4 p.m.to 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the Reardon Civic Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. He took the driver into custody without incident.
