“In order for Sipple to be liable for the death or the actions of Lewis, we would have to prove that he knew what Lewis was going to do over there on 22nd Street and we don’t have any evidence to show that he knew Lewis was going to shoot a police officer or particularly, Capt. Melton there”. Two suspects were arrested the same day but have not been formally charged. Gorman explained they have until Lewis’ arraignment to decide.
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“This crime does not fit into the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers, but it does fit the narrative when it comes to the fact that words matter. The anti-hate speech has got to stop because the consequences are real”, the chief said. A suspect in a drive-by shooting fatally shot Melton on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, as the officer was sitting in his patrol vehicle, police said.
Visitations for Capt. Melton has been planned for Friday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas and his funeral is set for 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning at Children’s Mercy Park. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before he retired in 2012, according to the guard.
In the lobby of police headquarters, people left cards and flowers on a table draped in blue cloth. Kathryn Courtney, 31, of Kansas City, Kan., brought a bouquet of yellow daisies Wednesday. His family has asked for privacy.
A prosecutor plans to announce charges soon in the fatal shooting of a 46-year-old police captain in Kansas City, Kansas.
When Officer Jones took Sipple into custody, Sipple had a weapon on him that prosecutors believe was the same one used at Juniper Gardens, Gorman said. When they bailed from the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle was taken into custody immediately without incident. Ford said she thought someone was knocking on her air conditioner until her son rushed downstairs and told her the noises were gunshots.
Officer Thomas advised residents to be patient and allow a lot of time as the services may be crowded.
Sipple is not being charged with murder because he left the auto earlier, about 19 minutes before the encounter with Capt. Melton, and there is no evidence that Sipple was involved in planning the death.
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Gorman said the third person at this time is believed to have taken no active role in the case, fired no weapon and did not drive the auto.
