Passenger Trains > Person Shot on Amtrak Train in MO.

News story -
KMBC Article

From the Lee's Summit MO PD Facebook page:

LSPD Investigating Overnight Homicide aboard Amtrak train

On Friday, January 14th, 2022 at approximately 9:15 p.m. emergency crews were summoned to the Amtrak station in Independence, MO located in the 1100 block of West Pacific on the report of a gunshot victim. When officers arrived on scene, they learned that the victim had been shot while the train was stopped at the Lee’s Summit station located near 3rd and Main. The train then travelled north to Independence; the victim was treated when the train stopped in Independence, however the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect in the shooting was a passenger on the train and fled in Lee’s Summit right after the shooting. Detectives are working to interview passengers on the train to develop a suspect in the case. The victim’s name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

 

Missouri River Runner 313(14) sure isn't the Orient Express.  Unfortunately, this is not fiction, either.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/22 23:18 by GenePoon.

Was the Amtrak crew unaware of the shooting at Lee's Summit station and therefore continued on for another 14 miles (20 minutes or so of travel time?) to Independence? Seems like the train should have stayed stopped at Lee's Summit with a hospital (University Health Lakewood Medical Center) less than 5 miles away.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/22 04:45 by JPB.

JPB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Was the Amtrak crew unaware of the shooting at
> Lee's Summit station and therefore continued onto
> for another 14 miles (20 minutes or so of travel
> time?) to Independence? Seems like the train
> should have stayed stopped at Lee's Summit with a
> hospital (University Health Lakewood Medical
> Center) less than 5 miles away.
Yeah, and Lee's Summit is a much safer city than Independence!

This is the second shooting on an Amtrak train in the last few months. 

Perhaps it is time for Amtrak to have TSA style passenger screening 

Here is a news article re: the shooting posted on-line at 0720 CST Saturday 1/15/22 by KMBC news: https://www.kmbc.com/article/independence-missouri-police-fatal-shooting-amtrak-train/38775817

Excerpt:

"...A police department spokesman told KMBC 9 News that one person was fatally shot, and that the train was in Lee's Summit when the shooting happened.On Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at approximately 9:15 p.m. emergency crews were summoned to the Amtrak station in Independence, MO located in the 1100 block of West Pacific on the report of a gunshot victim..."

A witness says in the interview video that Amtrak crew was told of the shooting at Lee's Summit yet for reasons unknown Amtrak decided to proceed another 30+ minutes to Independence before Amtrak summoned police.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/22 07:00 by JPB.

altoonafn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is the second shooting on an Amtrak train in
> the last few months. 
>
> Perhaps it is time for Amtrak to have TSA style
> passenger screening 

I don't even know how you could do that, unless you made all routes like the Auto Train - point to point with no stops.

altoonafn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is the second shooting on an Amtrak train in the last few months. 
>
> Perhaps it is time for Amtrak to have TSA style passenger screening 

Figure out how to do it and then fund it.
Or use the lack of screening as a reason shut Amtrak down.

If you are already looking for reasons to dismantle Amtrak I assume you will choose the second option.

..."
>
> A witness says in the interview video that Amtrak
> crew was told of the shooting at Lee's Summit yet
> for reasons unknown Amtrak decided to proceed
> another 30+ minutes to Independence before Amtrak
> summoned police.

could it be there was gunman outside of the train, the conductor didn't want to get shot, thought by removing the train there would be less risk, than remaining stationary

dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ..."
> >
> > A witness says in the interview video that
> Amtrak
> > crew was told of the shooting at Lee's Summit
> yet
> > for reasons unknown Amtrak decided to proceed
> > another 30+ minutes to Independence before
> Amtrak
> > summoned police.
>
> could it be there was gunman outside of the train,
> the conductor didn't want to get shot, thought by
> removing the train there would be less risk, than
> remaining stationary


Can’t believe that accounting of events. Even if the crew was in danger, they could have advanced just a few miles and summoned help to a grade crossing.

Let’s wait until the full story come out.

restricted_speed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> altoonafn Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is the second shooting on an Amtrak train
> in
> > the last few months. 
> >
> > Perhaps it is time for Amtrak to have TSA style
> > passenger screening 
>
> I don't even know how you could do that, unless
> you made all routes like the Auto Train - point to
> point with no stops.

Would be pretty easy if the NEC was their only route ...

"...Let’s wait until the full story come out..."

It may NEVER come out.  Amtrak has to be aware now that if the 21 minute delay in getting medical help jeopardized the victims's survival, it is in very deep sɧ!ŧ. 

The crew is now probably under a gag order and not to say anything without an Amtrak lawyer present.

Amtrak does NOT need the TSA's Security Theatre. 

altoonafn Wrote:
>
> Perhaps it is time for Amtrak to have TSA style
> passenger screening 

Here's an updated news report with little more information on the event: https://www.kmbc.com/article/independence-missouri-man-shot-killed-amtrak-train-lees-summit/38780525

Excerpt: 
"...Investigators are still working to develop the timeline leading up to and after that shooting.Currently, investigators believe the shooting happened while the train was stopped at the depot in Lee's Summit, Missouri.Police said the shooting happened in a train car with a very small number of passengers. Police believe the passengers who heard gunshots did not initially realize someone had been hurt.Investigators say the suspect is believed to have gotten off the train in Lee's Summit, however, the victim wasn't found until after the train left the depot bound for Independence.Medical help was waiting when the train arrived in Independence, however, Aaron was pronounced dead on the scene...."