Christian BryantAuthorities confirmed at a news conference three people were shot and killed Sunday afternoon at two separate Jewish sites near Kansas City. KSHB reports a suspect has been taken into custody. (Via KSHB)
That suspect, seen here, is a white male in his 70s. Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass told reporters the man isn’t from Kansas and there’s no indication he knew the victims. (Via KCTV)
According to NBC, law enforcement has identified the suspect as 73-year-old Frasier Glenn Cross, Jr. from Missouri.
The first shooting happened around 1 p.m. outside the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City where teens were auditioning for KC Superstar, a musical talent competition.
“We thought it was weather at first.”
“Yeah, there were people ducking down under tables and yelling at us to get inside.”
The Kansas City Star reports the first two victims were a 14-year-old boy and his grandfather.
One man told WDAF he heard a sudden gunshot and saw a man holding what looked like a shotgun and also saw somebody "laying on the ground."
A second shooting took place minutes later at Village Shalom — an assisted living facility just south of the community center — where one woman was shot and killed.
Authorities said they believe the suspect carried out both shootings. He was later taken into custody in the parking lot of Village Park Elementary, which is just blocks from Village Shalom.
KSHB's Andres Gutierrez tweeted this picture of the suspect in the back of a police car and added he yelled "Heil Hitler," although investigators haven’t confirmed that fact.
According to KSHB, “police believe the shooter used a shotgun and possibly a handgun and an assault.” Authorities say it is too early to determine whether the incident was a hate crime.
