Crime
Mother and her infant daughter killed in officer-involved shooting at Oval Spring Apartments in Independence
When police arrived, they encountered a woman reportedly holding a knife.
The family of a woman and her 4-month-old infant girl has confirmed that both were killed by police during an incident at the Oval Spring Apartments in Independence, Missouri, on Thursday afternoon.
Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman held a press conference Friday, confirming the fatal incident and calling it an “officer-involved shooting.
The incident unfolded near Larkspur Lane and M-291 Frontage Road when officers responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance with a potential assault.
When police arrived, they encountered a woman reportedly holding a knife.
According to the police, officers opened fire, resulting in the deaths of the woman and her infant daughter.
Chief Dustman did not specify the cause of death but did confirm that one officer discharged their weapon.
This officer, along with two other responding officers, has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice during such investigations.
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has stated that it is closely monitoring the independent investigation into the matter, handled by the Police Involved Investigation Team.
Dustman refrained from releasing the identities of the victims or additional details, and he would not confirm the child’s age. However, family members informed the public about the victims’ identities, noting the tragic loss of both mother and child.
Carrie Lufkin, property manager at Oval Spring Apartments, reported that the situation initially began as a domestic violence issue.
She confirmed that both the woman and her child died during the incident, though no officers were injured.
Chief Dustman emphasized that officers acted according to their training and protocol for handling a domestic disturbance involving a weapon.
In his statements, Chief Dustman also urged the community to take measures to protect children from violence and to report any warning signs of potential harm, stressing the importance of safely securing firearms in the home.
He acknowledged the incident’s profound impact on the community and extended condolences to the victims’ family.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Independence Police Department is coordinating with Jackson County’s independent review team.
The police department and prosecutor’s office have assured the public that they will follow every measure to ensure a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Chicago Police Department has charged a man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman at a CTA Green Line station on Thursday afternoon.
Willi Holmes, 54, faces one felony count of first-degree murder following the death of 25-year-old Emily Carlson.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. at the Central Avenue Green Line station.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Carlson was with another individual when a verbal altercation broke out involving Holmes.
The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Holmes allegedly produced a knife and stabbed Carlson in the back.
Holmes then fled the scene.
Emergency medical personnel responded, and Carlson was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Chicago police officers quickly located and arrested Holmes shortly after the attack.
A weapon believed to have been used in the stabbing was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Sources indicated that the altercation began on the station platform and continued onto the street.
Holmes is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Saturday.
The investigation remains ongoing.