Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Jonathan Heath-Taylor
Age : 25
Gender : Unknown
Race : Black
Date : 08/14/2023
Location : Missouri Highway 45 Spur near Stillings Road
City : Platte City
County : Platte
State : Missouri
Agency : Leavenworth Police Department (Kansas)
Officer(s) :Andrew Beard; Caleb Bonar; Cody McKinney; Tyler Danner; Nathaniel DesJardins; Brandon Eddinger; Tanner Schuler
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/10/2023, shortly after 12:45 a.m., Leavenworth Police Department officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 900 block of Columbia Avenue in Leavenworth, Kansas. Officers learned a woman reported being raped and identified the driver as the assailant. As officers searched the residence, they saw the driver's pickup pass the scene and attempted to stop it. The driver continued driving away while officers pursued across the Kansas-Missouri state line.
The pursuit ended on Missouri Highway 45 Spur near Stillings Road in Platte County after the pickup became disabled. Officers surrounded the vehicle and attempted to take the driver into custody. According to investigative reports, officers spent several minutes giving commands, attempting to de-escalate the situation, and deployed a beanbag shotgun before the encounter turned deadly. Officers reported the driver repeatedly stated they would have to shoot him and refused commands to surrender.
Investigators reported the driver removed a black object from a backpack and pointed it toward officers. Multiple Leavenworth police officers opened fire. Jonathan Heath-Taylor was struck multiple times and transported to North Kansas City Hospital, where he died on 08/14/2023. An autopsy determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. Toxicology testing detected fentanyl and norfentanyl.
The Platte County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting with assistance from the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Crime Scene Unit. In March 2024, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd issued a 15-page report concluding the officers' use of deadly force was legally justified and declined to file criminal charges. The report identified the officers who fired as Andrew Beard, Caleb Bonar, Cody McKinney, Tyler Danner, Nathaniel DesJardins, Brandon Eddinger, and Tanner Schuler of the Leavenworth Police Department.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://fox4kc.com/news/leavenworth-chase-suspect-dies-following-police-shooting-in-platte-county/
https://fox4kc.com/news/early-morning-chase-leads-to-officer-involved-shooting-in-platte-county/
