POLICE BEAT: Two shot, one dead near Central Avenue

Posted by Nick Sloan on November 14, 2009 - 12:47am
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Kansas City, Kan., Police responded to shots fired late Friday night in the area of N. 18th Street and Central Avenue.

When arriving at the scene, officers discovered two men shot in a vehicle wrecked into a nearby traffic pole at the intersection of N. 18th Street and Park Drive.

Both victims were taken to area hospitals, where one died. The other remains in critical condition. Two potential suspects were detained at the scene. The identity of the victim will not be release.

The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department's Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information to call (913) 573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

Posted by Wayne Headrick on November 14, 2009 - 12:25pm
I was close enough to hear these gunshots from inside a restaurant and, minutes later, to see these men removed from the vehicle.
Posted by Phil Thomas on November 16, 2009 - 12:32am
We have the strongest police presence in the area that I have ever seen, which is to say it is the best it has been in the last ten years. I think the police are doing everything they can.
They have already made an arrest on this one.
I will risk a breach of politcal correctiveness and say we have a huge Hispanic gang problem in the Central Avenue district. A few other areas in KCK are affected as well.
It seems the violence stays contained inside of the ethnic group, and they are getting more brazen. I hope we will attack the problem fervently now, and not wait until another bystander becomes a victim.
The new immigrants have added vibrancy to the area, and have heavily populated schools that were once on the verge of being shuttered. The new businesses, and energy they have created is exciting.
But, the tranformation has been so fast that it is hard to keep up with the bad element, particularly when there is a very strong cultural barrier.
I hope our police department has all of the resources it needs to weave in deeper to this growing community.
I cannot think of a larger priority for our local government.
Posted by D Thompson on November 16, 2009 - 12:49pm
Phil- you spoke the truth. There are some turf wars going on along Central and I think people are finally learning and waking up that its a real issue here in KCK.
I disagree its stays within the ethnic group- as drugs are involved, the risk grows.
All schools- all kids of every color can become their next target.