Part of Northwest Missouri interstate shut down for hostage situation in St. Joseph
A hostage situation closed a northwest Missouri interstate Wednesday.
Our sister station KNPN and the St. Joseph News-Press is reporting multiple law enforcement agencies were on the scene at Motel 6 on Frederick Boulevard.
Police on the scene confirm it is a hostage situation.
KNPN reports roads around the motel, including Frederick Boulevard andpart of Interstate 29 and the exit 47 ramps, also were closed. Our ABC 17 News crew took the pictures attached to this of traffic stopped on I-29.
KNPN reports police scanner traffic indicated that a woman was shot. KNPN said at least two dozen heavily armed officers, a K9 unit and a Bearcat were at the motel. Law enforcement from the St. Joseph Police Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and SRT and task force teams were on the scene. KNPN also reports a police negotiator was on scene.
According to KNPN, the suspect was believed to be in a room on the second floor of the east side of the motel. It reports police were on the balcony there as the person inside the room reportedly pounded on the walls. Loud bangs were apparently heard at the scene, although it was unclear if the sounds were from gunfire or some sort of police device.
KNPN said police escorted motel guests, including small children, from the building. People at the nearby Drury Inn also were moved out that hotel and the Denny’s restaurant was closed. KNPN said the Colgan Alternative Resource Center was on lockdown, and a lockdown atEast Hills Shopping Center was lifted around 11:30 a.m.
KNPN reports authorities believe the incident may be related to a disturbance at a nearby care facility.
KNPNsaid the shooting report comes one week after a man was stabbed on Oct. 5 in a room at the motel, 4021 Frederick Blvd. That man apparently died from his injuries.
