Missouri Police Officer Shot In The Head While Responding To Call

Independence, MO – An Independence police officer was shot in the head while responding to a report of someone shooting up a home on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred at a residence near Carlisle and East 8th Street at approximately 11:20 p.m., KMBC reported.

The Independence Police Department (IPD) received a report that a man had fired a rifle at a house in the neighborhood, according to KTVI.

When police arrived at the scene, the suspect opened fire, hitting an officer in the head, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) said in a press release early Thursday morning.

The officers returned fire, striking the gunman.

The wounded officer was rushed to a local hospital and is “reportedly conscious and in stable condition,” according to the MSHP.

We have been requested by the Independence Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting… Preliminary investigation indicates @ipdinfo was notified of a person shooting a rifle into a residence on Carlisle Ave at approx 11:20 pm yesterday. (1/3) #MSHP pic.twitter.com/lxz055dQDn

— MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) April 1, 2021

The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He has been identified as 35-year-old Aaron Pouche, the MSHP said.

Police believe the initial shots-fired call was due to a “dispute between neighbors,” according to the press release.

Update to the officer involved shooting:
The suspect has been identified as Aaron C. Pouche, 35, from independence. A rifle has been located at the scene as well. #MSHP @ipdinfo pic.twitter.com/r21YKiZkYV

— MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) April 1, 2021

They did not release details about the argument, but police said the feud had been an ongoing problem, KCTV reported.

There had also been threats of violence and multiple disputes between them in the past, according to the news outlet.

Investigators said a rifle was recovered at the scene of the shooting, KMBC reported.

The ⁦@MSHPTrooperA⁩ is investigating an officer-involved shooting where a 35-year-old man was killed and an Independence police officer was shot in the head, said Sgt. Bill Lowe with the highway patrol. pic.twitter.com/Lngq7NekKv

— Bob Cronkleton (@cronkb) April 1, 2021

The MSHP said its Division of Drug and Crime Control is handling the ongoing investigation into the officer-involved shooting at the request of the IPD.

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