Standoff ends in Belton, man ultimately passes away

BELTON, Mo. (KCTV) - Police in Belton, Missouri, were engaged in a standoff and at least one school was put on lockdown “as a precautionary measure.” It has now come to an end after the man shot himself and was taken to the hospital.

According to police, officers went to a residence in the 500 block of Hargis Lane at about 12:45 p.m. after receiving a call about a disturbance involving a firearm.

That address is near Westover Road and Hargis Lane. It is a residential area that is south/southwest of Gladden Elementary School. As a precautionary measure, that elementary school was placed on lockdown.

School bus routes were altered, so as to avoid the area. The police were also asking the public to avoid the area.

“We have begun the process of removing all the students, but I do not know if that has been completed at this time,” the police said at 4:30 p.m.

Police say that, before they arrived, a female escaped the residence. Officers took her to a secure location.

When police arrived, there was a male who was in the street and armed with a gun.

Officers proceeded to cordon off the area in an effort to contain the suspect.

Negotiations were taking place.

6 p.m. update:

Shortly after 6 p.m. the standoff concluded.

The police told KCTV5 News that the armed man ended up shooting himself at 6:04 p.m.

That man has been taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.

For those waiting to get home, the barricaded area will likely reopen at 7 p.m. The immediate area will need to be cordoned off so it can be processed by police.

9 p.m. update:

This man has passed away due to his injuries.

No further information is available at this time.

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