WYANDOTTE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kansas.
Just after 10:30 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a residence in the 3400 block of Bell Crossing Drive after a report that a family member, identified as Jorge Arellano, 32, of Kansas City, Kansas, was experiencing a mental health crisis, according to a media release from the KBI.
Upon arrival, officers encountered Arellano on the roof of the residence armed with a knife. Officers were able to de-escalate the situation, and Arellano put down the knife and climbed down from the roof. Officers cleared the scene at approximately 12:45 a.m.
At approximately 12:55 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, a second 911 call was received from the same residence reporting that Arellano was again in crisis and armed with a knife. While responding to the call, a third call was received at approximately 1:15 a.m., reporting that Arellano had forced entry into the basement of the home.
Officers arrived at approximately 1:20 a.m. and gave commands for Arellano to exit the residence. Arellano again climbed onto the roof of the home, this time armed with multiple knives. Preliminary information indicates, with a knife in his hand, Arellano began making throwing motions in the direction of officers and family members from the roof. At that time, one KCKPD officer discharged their firearm, striking Arellano one time.
Medical aid was rendered at the scene, and Arellano was transported to a Kansas City area hospital, where he remains in stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel, and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings, which take several weeks to complete.
The investigation remains ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for review.