Kansas City, Missouri (KCTV) – Jackson County Attorney says they are counting on fake stories after police shot dead a woman last Friday night near 6th and Prospect Avenue.
A woman recorded a video after the shooting and shared it online, saying the shot woman was unarmed. On Wednesday, prosecutors released an image from a police camera worn on the body, which showed a gun in a woman’s hand. Prosecutors say the image shows Leona Hale.
Hale has been charged with several counts, including illegal possession of a firearm, illegal use of a weapon and resisting legal detention.
Jackson County Attorney Jean-Peters Baker said prosecutors had reviewed video from the body’s camera and additional evidence showing that Hale was “constantly showing weapons during his meeting with police officers.”
Following the May 27 shooting, a Missouri road patrol spoke to KCTV5 News about the initial investigation. Sergeant Andy Bell said that – before the shooting – the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department shared the description of a vehicle occupied by two suspects involved in a reported armed car theft.
“Kansas City, Missouri, police noticed this vehicle,” said a sergeant. Bell said. “A very good description was given, along with [the] registration number and two suspects’.
Kansas City police officers, Moto, say they saw the vehicle parked in the Family Dollar car park. According to police at the scene, the man driving the car escaped from police but was later detained. “A suspect woman got out of the passenger seat,” Bell said Friday. “She entered the parking lot near four or five vehicles.”
According to court records, several police cameras recorded video from different angles of Hale, who was holding a firearm in her right hand. After reviewing the video from the body, investigators said officers could be heard giving verbal orders to release the firearm, and Hale “is still seen pointing the firearm at the victims.” Then three shots are heard. Two police officers said they had dropped their firearms. “A suspicious gun was found in the parking lot near the vehicle,” Bell said earlier.
According to court records, a body video carried by the body showed Hale tripping and falling to the ground after being shot, and no longer appeared to be holding a firearm. Police say she was handcuffed and officers called an ambulance to respond. Hale’s injuries were initially described as serious.
Court records say that during the initial interview, Hale denied having a gun or anything in his hands. Detectives say Hale asked for a lawyer when they asked to interview her a second time.
On Wednesday, Jackson County Attorney Jean-Peters Baker issued a written statement saying:
“Some false stories about what happened last Friday night on 6th and Prospect Avenue, unfortunately, were read by some media and other sources. Our job as prosecutors is to remain neutral and review all evidence. Our review of body camera videos provided the actual coverage of tonight’s events. Our review of the investigation revealed that the defendant, although she denied having a weapon during the meeting with law enforcement officers, was constantly showing a weapon during her meeting with police officers and also appears to be trying to escape. The two officers said she was armed with a weapon that they believed was a pistol. Recordings from the body camera confirm the statements of the police that Hale was holding a gun. Still images taken from body cameras at this meeting also show that a weapon was also in the hands of the defendant. “
A spokesman for the Missouri State Road Patrol said the investigation into the shooting was ongoing. Once completed, investigators will present their reports and evidence to the Jackson County Attorney’s Office for final review.
A spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, Missouri, said the department would continue to cooperate with the Missouri State Road Patrol investigation and ensure full transparency throughout the process.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas responded on Twitter on Wednesday. Mayor Lucas tweeted: “Body cameras are a positive addition to reaching the truth in public safety investigations. I estimate that today the prosecutor shared facts and images that clarify the public story about last Friday’s shooting. “
Previous coverage:
A woman is accused of exposing a weapon during a meeting with CPDP officials on Friday
Mayor Lucas posted on Twitter a statement about the shooting involving an officer
Eyewitness says police shot dead unarmed, initial MSHP investigation reveals weapons
The suspect was hospitalized after a shooting involving a police officer at the KCMO
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