A young Kansas police officer met with a tragic end during a pursuit, reportedly struck down intentionally by a suspect fleeing the authorities.
26-year-old Officer Hunter Simoncic of Kansas City, Kansas, was deploying stop sticks during the pursuit early Tuesday when, according to police, the suspect drove at him, struck him, and fled the scene. Simoncic was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Dennis Mitchell III of Kansas City, was taken into custody following a vehicular crash. He now stands accused of first-degree murder, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Kansas City Police Chief Karl Oakman described the act as “intentional and willful.” He further declared the loss of Officer Simoncic as “devastating.”
The incident began around 12:30 a.m. when officers responded to calls of shots fired. Officers found Mitchell unconscious in a truck. However, upon being approached by the officers, he woke up and fled the scene. The suspect then switched vehicles and continued his attempt to evade the police.
Officer Simoncic was attempting to deploy stop sticks to puncture and deflate the tires of the fleeing vehicle. It was during this act of duty that the suspect reportedly veered his vehicle directly at Simoncic.
Mitchell crashed the truck around 1 a.m. He was apprehended, treated at a local hospital, and subsequently booked into the Wyandotte County Jail. Pending formal charges, Mitchell is also facing accusations of vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated failure to appear. As of now, it is unclear if he has legal representation.
Further investigations led the police to discover that both vehicles used by Mitchell had been reported stolen. Police Chief Oakman also noted that the suspect had several outstanding warrants.
As we delve deeper into Officer Simoncic’s service record, we learn that he was following protocol during this incident. Simoncic, a native of Galesburg, Kansas, graduated from the Kansas City Police Academy in 2023. He leaves behind a mother, father, and brother. The community mourns a young officer known for his volunteer work with local schools, mentoring children.
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This tragic event has sparked a wave of grief and outrage in the community. Mayor Tyrone Garner of Kansas City, Kansas, condemned the “shameful acts of violence.” He emotionally expressed his condolences and regret, stating that sometimes “Thoughts and prayers just aren’t enough.”
A tragic loss of a young officer in the line of duty, under circumstances that raise important questions about criminal behavior and the safety of our law enforcement personnel. As always, we will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available. For now, we remember Officer Hunter Simoncic and extend our sympathies to his family, his colleagues, and the community he served.
