Two dead in Warrensburg shooting involving Whiteman AFB Airman
Madison Stuerman
EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline and role of the airman have been corrected.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Warrensburg man has died after he was shot on Wednesday morning.
Whiteman Air Force Base said on social media that the 509th Bomb Wing is aware of the shooting involving one of its off-duty, off-base airmen that resulted in a death.
“The Wing is fully cooperating with their efforts,” the post states, “In respect of the ongoing investigation and those affected, no further information will be released at this time.”
Warrensburg Police said dispatch received two calls at 7:20 a.m. about a domestic disturbance on Cedar Drive. The suspect was reported to be armed with a weapon and running towards Hale Lake Road. Warrensburg Police said the suspect fired the gun in the direction on officers as they arrived on scene.
In a release, the department said prior to the officer’s arrival a bystander, Tony Barron, attempted to intervene in the domestic disturbance and was shot and killed by the suspect.
The suspect was found dead in a nearby wooded area with what officials believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 8:36 a.m., according to WPD.
No first responders were hurt at the scene and officers did not return gunfire at the suspect. The female victim in the domestic disturbance was treated and released from Western Missouri Medical Center.
WPD says the investigation is still ongoing.
Due to Military regulations, the suspect’s identity cannot be released until 24 hours after their family has been notified.
Warrensburg Superintendent Steve Ritter said in an email to parents that the district was notified of gunshots fired nearby.
Warrensburg High School was put on a full lockdown, according to Ritter. Other buildings went on limited lockdown procedures.
“Later in the morning, Maple Grove Elementary was identified as an area of concern as law enforcement continued their response,” Ritter said in the statement. “Some buses were temporarily redirected from Maple Grove to Martin Warren; those students have now returned or are returning to Maple Grove.”
Ritter added that all students and staff members are safe.
An alert was sent to students at the University of Central Missouri when the threat ended.
“Urgent Advisory: The active shooter situation in southeast Warrensburg has been contained. There is no ongoing threat and no need to shelter in place.”
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency said East Hale Lake Rd, Ridgeview Drive and Mitchell Street were closed but have been reopened.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, University of Central Missouri Department of Public Safety, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County EMA, Ambulance District and Warrensburg Fire Department assisted.
This is a developing story