KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the connection between a shooting and traffic crash in Kansas City.
Just after 4a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to reported non-injury accident at 12th and Benton in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.
Officers located a vehicle, unoccupied, just west of the intersection on 12th Street that appeared to have been involved in a crash. Upon close investigation of the vehicle it appeared there was indications of potential gunshot activity into the vehicle, as well as indications that someone may have been injured inside the vehicle.
Responding officers began gathering information to determine the sequence of events and additional officers responded and began canvassing for anyone that maybe injured.
Officers canvassing were led to an apartment building diagonal from the intersection to the south and east. Behind that apartment they located a man, later identified as 20-year-old Michael B. Waylee who appeared to have been shot, unresponsive there. Officers called for EMS who declared him deceased at the scene.
Preliminary Investigation indicates that the vehicle initially reported in the crash was westbound on 12th just after 1am at a high rate of speed. At the intersection of Benton the vehicle sideswiped a vehicle and the driver lost control and crashed into a parked vehicle west of Benton.
Following the crash the victim exited the vehicle and fled the scene. Detectives are also investigating a reported shooting that took place at 12th and Hardesty just after 1am.
At that shooting scene one man was shot and transported to the hospital with what is thought to be non-life threatening injuries. Detectives are investigating the potential connection between the two scenes.
Detectives and crime scene investigators processed the scene for evidence.
If anyone heard or saw anything in this area between 1 am and 4 am, or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.