‘It’s an awful situation’: Police involved in double fatal shooting in Independence

Two people died after an officer-involved shooting in Independence Thursday afternoon, according to Independence police.

The shooting took place around 1:45 p. m. at the Oval Spring Apartments, located at 16801 E Larkspur Lane, according to Independence police spokesperson Kelley Rupert.

Officers from the Independence Police Department initially responded to the apartments on a domestic disturbance call, Rupert said. Two people were pronounced dead shortly following the shooting.

Police have not identified the victims, but some Oval Spring residents said they were told that a mother and child were killed in the midafternoon shooting.

No officers were injured, Rupert said.

Building manager Carrie Lufkin, who has worked in the building for about a year, said she was “familiar” with the family allegedly involved in the shooting, saying she was told the woman was holding her infant hostage in a closet shortly before the two died.

At least one police officer fired at least one shot, Rupert said. It’s not yet known who fired the fatal shots.

“I’m very shaken up,” said Lufkin. “It’s an awful situation.”

The shooting is under investigation by the Police Involved Investigation Team, made up of detectives from various Eastern Jackson County law enforcement agencies, according to Rupert.

No suspects have been identified as of Thursday evening.

“There’s never an instance where this doesn’t affect the community, your first responders,” Rupert said. “This isn’t the outcome anybody wants.”

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office will also be part of the investigation into the shooting. Members of the prosecutor’s staff responded to the scene of the shooting Thursday afternoon to meet with investigators.

According to resident Lincoln Clay, crime doesn’t typically happen around the complex.

“It is surprising,” said Clay, who has lived at the complex for 8 years. “That’s real sad.”