Crime
Active Shooter Investigation Underway at Montgomery Veterans Hospital
No one is injured. No one was shot.
UPDATE: Despite initial reports of an active shooter and a subsequent lockdown at the Montgomery VA Hospital, authorities have confirmed that no weapon was found.
Chief of Staff Chip Hill stated that police leadership has assured him there were no individuals armed with a gun on the premises.
He emphasized that there were no injuries, no shootings, and that the Montgomery Police Department is continuing to support federal counterparts in their ongoing investigation into the initial reports.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is urging the public to avoid the Montgomery VA Hospital on Perry Hill Road due to an ongoing active shooter investigation. The alert was issued via email and social media.
Law enforcement and VA police are on the scene responding to the situation, and all hospital entrances have been temporarily restricted.
To prioritize the safety of everyone in the area, CAVHCS is requesting that all visitors, patients, and staff refrain from entering the hospital grounds until further notice.
“We are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone on campus,” stated Valerie Russell, Acting Director of CAVHCS. “We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
Individuals with scheduled appointments or urgent medical needs are advised to contact the hospital by phone to reschedule or seek care at alternative VA facilities. Authorities are expected to release additional details through official channels.
Crime
Jesse James West, 36, Dies After Being Shot by Kansas City, Kansas, Police Officer During Disturbance Response
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A family’s request for help ended in tragedy Friday evening, November 6, 2026, when 36-year-old Jesse James West died after being shot by a police officer responding to a reported disturbance at a residence in Kansas City, Kansas.
The incident occurred in the 6500 block of Kansas Avenue, where officers were dispatched following a call from a woman who reported that a relative was behaving erratically inside a vehicle parked in the driveway. What began as a request for assistance became a fatal encounter that has left West’s loved ones grieving and raised difficult questions as investigators work to establish exactly what happened.
According to information released by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), officers were dispatched at approximately 7:35 p.m. Two Kansas City, Kansas, police officers arrived at the residence around 7:50 p.m. and approached an SUV parked in the driveway.
Inside the vehicle, officers encountered West. One officer reportedly observed that he had a firearm.
The officers initially moved away from the SUV and instructed West to exit the vehicle with his hands raised. They later approached again and repeated their commands.
At approximately 7:56 p.m., as officers approached the SUV, one officer fired a single round, striking West. According to the KBI’s preliminary account, West was standing just outside the vehicle’s door when he was shot.
Officers immediately began providing life-saving medical assistance while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
West was transported to The University of Kansas Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
No officers were reported injured during the incident. Investigators also said they located what they believe were components of a rifle at the scene.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at approximately 8:25 p.m. The KBI is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings are expected to be submitted to the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Authorities have not released further conclusions about the circumstances leading to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and the findings will help determine the full sequence of events.
Jesse James West was 36 years old. His death has left family members and loved ones facing a painful loss following an incident that began with a call for assistance.
The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain under investigation, and many questions may not be answered until investigators complete their review.
As his family mourns, thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved West. Losing someone unexpectedly is devastating, and the pain can be especially difficult when the circumstances remain unclear.
Our deepest condolences go out to Jesse James West’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. May they find strength, support, and comfort as they grieve.
May Jesse James West rest in peace.