Parsons Police Respond to Shooting at Local Bar
Parsons Police responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the PK Bar and Grill located at 2106 Crawford early Sunday morning. The first calls were received by Parsons Police Dispatch at 2:08 am.
Upon arrival, responding police units were confronted by a large bar crowd estimated to number up to 100 individuals who had gathered in the parking lot.
Officers located one gunshot victim laying in the SE area of the bar parking lot. The Victim, a Black Male in his 60's had a single gun shot wound to his back. He was transported to Labette Hospital by paramedics and was then later transferred to Joplin. No other victims were located at the scene.
The suspect(s) had left the scene of the shooting prior to the arrival of the police.
One vehicle in the parking lot had multiple gun shot damage done to it. That vehicle was impounded by police and removed from the crime scene for evidentiary purposes.
Mike Powell, Drug Task Force Commander for the Kansas Combined Anti-Drug Task Force (K-CAT) was on the scene interviewing potential witnesses. Police 'were surprised that the vast number of people interviewed at the scene did not see, hear or observe the shooter(s). Given the large number of patrons at the bar, it's a wonder no one else was shot," said Powell. "The evidence and leads we have so far, indicated that this crime was not a random act of violence, but was in-fact targeting an individual or individual(s) who left the scene. We believe our gunshot victim was not the intended target of this assault."
Shell casings were collected as evidence at the shooting scene by police.
"Additional leads are being tracked down by Detectives," said Parsons Chief of Police Robert Spinks.
Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd, who was also at the scene met with family members at the hospital and at their home. He said, "There are similarities between this shooting and the two open shooting investigations from May. Building a criminal case to the point of turning persons of interest into arrestable suspects who can be prosecuted rests in part on victims and witnesses being forthcoming."
The Kansas Office of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) which regulates liquor establishments has also been notified of this investigation by Parsons Police.
As additional information develops, the Parsons Police will alert the community.
This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.
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