Police Captain Robert Dave Melton, a 46-year-old officer on duty in Kansas City, Kansas, was shot and killed today in the line of duty. According to reports, Capt. Melton was trying to apprehend a man believed to be involved in an armed dispute when he responded to a call by himself. While responding to that call, Capt. Melton was shot and injured at 1:58 PM. He was taken to the hospital where it was announced that he was in critical condition.
A search is still ongoing for the suspect who shot him.
What Happened?
At around 1:30 PM today, police responded to a call about an armed disturbance at Second Street and Edgerton Drive. According to the 911 call they were responding to, a group of people in a car had fired shots at the caller. Police arrived at the scene within three minutes, causing the passengers within a suspected car to flee on foot.
One of the suspects was caught and arrested.
Just before 2:00 PM, Captain Melton was attempting to stop another suspect believed to have been involved in the shooting. That’s when he was shot. Melton was taken to the hospital while FBI and KCK police forces gathered to apprehend the suspect.
From KansasCity.com:
Police swarmed the area with dozens of officers, some with rifles. Several police officers were taking cover behind cars at 16th and Quindaro by 2:30 p.m. A woman at a house there came out of a home with her hands up. Several officers were kneeling down in the street with their guns drawn toward the home. It was unknown what connection the house has to the shooting.
About 3:08, a SWAT team approached the house behind ballistic shields. They entered the house. About 3:34 p.m. the officers left the house without anyone.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is reportedly involved in the investigation for the shooter.
“Our detective fought a good fight, but unfortunately he died from his injuries at approximately 3:30 p.m.,” Police Chief Terry Zeigler said in a tweet. “Thanks for the support & prayers.”
https://twitter.com/KCKPDChief/status/755588029796917250
Who Was He?
https://twitter.com/BlueLivesMatter/status/755580440547700738
Captain Robert Melton was a civil servant who had served Kansas City as a police officer from 1990 until today. In addition to being a captain since May 2015, he had also served in the National Guard and was even deployed to Afghanistan. He was a graduate of Kansas City Community College.
Our thoughts are with Captain Melton’s family, friends and the rest of the officers in Kansas City. He is the second police officer in KC to be killed in the same number of months.
Reaction To His Death
There will be a press conference at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 20th to discuss what happened.
Police Departments from around the United States of America, along with US citizens, offered their condolences to the KCKPD.
https://twitter.com/ATFHQ/status/755523678880817152
https://twitter.com/meadowspolice/status/755615925466902528
https://twitter.com/MarkRHall/status/755610656200589312
https://twitter.com/NYPDHighway/status/755560080582598657
