Gary K Cusick Obituary, Death; – Investigators have determined the identity of the individual who was fatally shot by officers from the Independence Police Department (IPD) over the past weekend.
Gary K. Cusick, a 68-year-old resident of Independence, was killed on Sunday, as reported by the Lee’s Summit Police Department.
The officers involved in the shooting are currently on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation. Once the investigation is finalized, the case will be forwarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for evaluation.
At present, the Police Involved Incident Team (PIIT) – which includes the police departments of Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Grandview, and Independence – is overseeing the investigation. The Kansas City Police Department will also provide assistance in this matter.
According to the IPD, at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex located at East Truman Road and South Scott Avenue.
Upon arrival, police reported discovering a man seated in the back of a vehicle. As officers began to engage with him, the Public Information Officer (PIO) stated that he brandished a handgun.
Body camera footage indicates that the man was instructed to lower the weapon, and when he failed to comply, officers discharged their firearms.
“The officers issued commands for the man to drop the handgun. He did not heed their instructions, and regrettably, the officers were compelled to resort to lethal force,” stated Sergeant Chris Depue.
An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
