KANSAS CITY — It was another deadly weekend of gunfire across the Kansas City metro and in Topeka. Law enforcement are investigating a series of homicides and a fatal office involved shooting.
Just after 5:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 4800 block of NW 62nd Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri on a possible shooting call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.
A caller indicated a person was inside a house that needed medical attention. On arrival officers were led to a residence there where they located a man, later identified as 58-year-old Harley Harvey, unresponsive inside with unknown injuries.
Officers called for EMS who responded and declared Harvey deceased at the scene.
Based on preliminary investigation the circumstances were suspicious enough that Homicide detectives responded to the scene for further investigation. After more detailed investigation of the scene in conjunction with the medical examiner, it was determined the victim had been shot more than one time. Based on this additional information and scene processing, this case is now being investigated as a homicide.
Just after 12:05 a.m. Sunday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2300 block of SE 23rd Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police LT Kerry Connell.
First responders found an unresponsive subject, later idenfitied as Joshua A. Stockman, 18, Topeka., who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police released no additional details and have not reported an arrest.
At approximately 12:27 a.m., Sunday. Kansas City, Kansas officers were initially dispatched to the 500 block of Ohio Avenue for a noise complaint, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.. Shortly after, at approximately 12:49 a.m., officers were dispatched back to the area following a report of shots fired.
Officers encountered a male suspect, later identified as Leonel Lozoya-Esparza, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, armed with a firearm. Officers issued verbal commands ordering Lozoya-Esparza to drop the weapon. Lozoya-Esparza failed to comply with officers' commands and turned toward them while holding the firearm.
One KCKPD officer discharged their firearm, striking Lozoya-Esparza.
Officers immediately attempted life-saving measures. Lozoya-Esparza succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
Just before 1p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the apartment complex in the 2000 block of Wheeling on a sound of gunshots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.
Officers were directed to a vehicle in the parking lot there. Indications were consistent with gunfire having taken place there. Officers located 3 adult men with gunshot injuries.
One in the drivers seat, one in the passenger seat and one just outside the vehicle. The one victim in the drivers seat was injured but responsive, the other two victims later identified as 21-year-old Sabrae Morris and 19-year-old Raul Lara-Delgado, were unresponsive. Officers called for EMS who responded and transported the victim from the drivers seat to the hospital in stable condition, according to Becchina.
EMS declared Morris and Lara-Delgado, Raul deceased at the scene.
Preliminary investigation indicates the three victims were in or around the vehicle in the parking lot when they had an interaction with one or more suspects that led to gunfire which struck the victims. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.