Lenexa Police are investigating after one driver allegedly fired a gun at another vehicle on 87th Street Parkway Tuesday evening.
At 6:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the westbound lanes of 87th Street Parkway just west of Lackman Road in response to a 911 call from a motorist who said he had been shot at while driving.
At least two shots hit car
The caller’s vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler, was hit by at least two shots, with one entering the driver’s side door. Another shattered the driver’s side window.
The driver pulled into a nearby parking lot and called the police as the suspect sped away southbound on Allman Road.
Master Police Officer Danny Chavez, a spokesperson for Lenexa Police, says the victim was not injured.
Officers closed the westbound lanes of 87th Street from Lackman Road to Allman Road as they searched for evidence of the shooting.
Police pursue suspect on highway
Recorded radio traffic indicates that a Lenexa officer spotted the suspect vehicle, a black Dodge Charger, driving through the parking lot of a hardware store at 15225 West 87th Street, at 7:06 p.m.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off.
Three Lenexa officers chased the Charger westbound on 87th Street from Allman Road and then north on Interstate 435 into Kansas City, Kan.
Speeds on I-435 reached 120 miles per hour, according to recorded radio traffic.
At several points in the chase, officers could be heard telling dispatchers that they could not keep up with the suspect vehicle due to the speed and traffic.
Suspect eventually got away
Lenexa officers continued in pursuit as the suspect entered eastbound Interstate 70.
Officers lost sight of the Charger on eastbound I-70 near the 18th Street Expressway interchange at 7:16 p.m.
The chase covered approximately 19 miles in 10 minutes.
As of later Tuesday night, Chavez confirmed that the suspect had not been located.
Police have not confirmed the suspect vehicle description or if officers were able to get a look at the license plate.
“We have officers and detectives following up at this moment,” Chavez told the Post in an emailed response to questions.
Any tips?
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab assisted Lenexa officers with a search for evidence in the westbound lanes of 87th Street Parkway just west of Lackman Road.
All lanes of 87th Street reopened at about 9 p.m.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact Lenexa Police at 913-477-7301 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. Callers to the TIPS Hotline can remain anonymous.
Mike Frizzell is a freelance crime and fire reporter who runs Operation 100 News.
