KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County prosecutors have filed charges against the 27-year-old man accused of shooting a Lee’s Summit police officer multiple times.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Monday afternoon that Thomas E. Tolbert has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
The officer remains in “serious condition” as law enforcement agencies continue to search for Tolbert.
A Blue Alert was issued in Missouri and Kansas for Tolbert, after he ran from officers following the shooting and then left in a car, police said. The car was recovered in Grandview.
According to court records, Lee’s Summit police responded to an apartment complex late Sunday night near Southwest Hollywood Drive and Highway 150 regarding Tolbert, who investigators say was involved in a domestic assault with the victim.
When an officer approached the suspect in the parking lot of the complex and attempted to detain him, Tolbert broke away and began running on foot, with the officer running after him. Tolbert then began to fire multiple gunshots at the officer, striking him four times, according to court documents.
Court records say the officer was hit in the leg, left arm, chest of his body armor and his shoulder. Investigators are working with law enforcement partners to track down Tolbert.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 1-800-KS-CRIME. KC Crime Stoppers is also offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Tolbert. You can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.
