INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Independence Police Department is continuing its investigation into an officer involved shooting that happened Sunday afternoon at the Econo Lodge located at Interstate 70 and Noland Road.
The incident left a man in the hospital. Two police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is the police department’s protocol whenever there has been an officer involved in a shooting.
A motel employee shed some light on the incident and told FOX 4 News what led up to the shooting.
The employee said that police were doing a routine patrol in the area when they spotted two men in the motel’s parking lot.
The pair were asked by the officers to show identification. Instead, one of the men began running away from the officers.
The survelliance video shows a man in red running from police. What’s hard to see on the video is the shots he’s firing at the officers who are closely following behind him guns drawn
The officers fired back and hit the suspect.
“When I opened up the door, you could hear the dude yelling and I walked over there and he was hurt,” said one witness.
One guest staying at a nearby hotel spoke to FOX 4 News, but did not want us to use her name. She said she heard the whole thing and it scared her, because inside the room where they were staying were her two young children.
“I think we are leaving,” she said.
Motel employees were also worried about their safety.
“As soon as I heard the shots, I ran to the front door and tried to shut it. And I called all of the employees and told them to go inside and not to go out,” Bhupen Pael, the motel’s manager said.
Meanwhile, police said the other man also attempted to get away on foot.
After searching the area, he was found and arrested at a nearby Burger King restaurant.
Police are still trying to figure out his involvement in the incident.
The suspect’s condition as of Sunday night is not known. No one else was injured.
The management of the Econo Lodge said they feel very fortunate with the timing of the incident.
They said all of their guests had checked out of the motel at 11:00 a.m. before the incident occurred.
