Patrol investigating fatal shooting by Independence police

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by Independence police officers.

The shooting occurred Friday night after a police pursuit and traffic crash, patrol spokesman Sgt. Bill Lowe said.

The incident began when Independence police responding to a disturbance call saw a white sedan speeding away from the scene, Lowe said.

Officers pursued the vehicle but ended the chase a short time after it began. Lowe said the suspect’s car crashed into another vehicle. When officers approached the suspect’s vehicle, they saw a rifle inside and fired toward the suspect, Lowe said.

The man was hit and died at the scene.

Lowe said two other people in the suspect’s vehicle were hospitalized. The driver of the car hit by the suspect vehicle was not injured.

The investigation is continuing. No names have been released.