Man Arrested After Armed Standoff at Kansas City Shopping Center
Kansas City police arrested a man on Wednesday following a tense standoff at the Westport Shopping Center, authorities confirmed.
The incident began around 11 a.m. when a rideshare driver called police, reporting that his passenger made alarming statements and claimed to have a firearm. The driver exited the vehicle and alerted authorities.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed the man still inside the vehicle and refusing to come out. Due to the nature of his comments and the potential presence of a weapon, police escalated the response to an “Operation 100,” signaling a high-risk situation.
Tactical response teams and negotiators were dispatched to manage the standoff. Police informed shopping center employees they could remain in place or leave under police escort as officers secured the area.
Images shared with local news outlet KSHB 41 depicted a heavy police presence in the parking lot near Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway.
The standoff concluded shortly before 1:15 p.m., with police confirming that the individual had been taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported.