Search fatalities

Michael Saunders

Age : 28

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/23/2022

Location : Northeast R.D. Mize Road and Northeast Sunnyside School Road

City : Blue Springs

County : Jackson

State : Missouri

Agency : Blue Springs Police Department; Cass County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Marshals Service

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/23/2022, two Blue Springs Police Department officers shot and killed 28-year-old Michael Saunders near Northeast R.D. Mize Road and Northeast Sunnyside School Road after Cass County investigators tracked him to a Walmart and requested assistance from Blue Springs police in arresting him.
.
The attempted arrest stemmed from a police pursuit in Cass County five days earlier. Authorities alleged that Cass County deputies attempted to stop Saunders on 08/18/2022, that he continued driving away while deputies pursued, and that he fired at deputies during that pursuit before escaping. Cass County investigators were subsequently searching for Saunders in connection with that shooting.
.
On 08/23/2022, Cass County investigators conducting surveillance followed Saunders and another person to the Walmart on Coronado Drive in Blue Springs. Authorities believed Saunders was armed. Investigators contacted the Blue Springs Police Department for assistance and waited for Saunders to leave the store before attempting to arrest him.
.
When officers approached Saunders outside Walmart, he ran from the parking lot. Officers followed him approximately one block toward Northeast R.D. Mize Road and Northeast Sunnyside School Road. Witnesses described seeing Saunders carrying a long gun resembling an AR-style rifle.
.
According to Blue Springs Police Chief Bob Muenz, officers ordered Saunders to put down the firearm. Police alleged that Saunders fired at officers, and two Blue Springs officers returned fire. Saunders was struck by police gunfire. The number of rounds fired by Saunders and the two officers was not specified in the initial accounts.
.
Officers performed CPR on Saunders after the shooting, but he died at the scene. The second person who had accompanied Saunders was taken into custody.
.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol took over the investigation into the fatal shooting.
.
OFFICER BACKGROUND:
.
Two Blue Springs Police Department officers fired and killed Saunders. Their identities were not disclosed in the public records reviewed.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/mshp-identifies-man-killed-by-blue-springs-police-after-firing-at-officers
https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/investigation-underway-after-blue-springs-police-fatally-shoot-man
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article264818804.html
https://www.kctv5.com/2022/08/23/investigation-underway-following-officer-involved-shooting-blue-springs/
https://www.kmbc.com/article/fatal-shooting-involving-blue-springs-missouri-police/40972250