June 6, 2020

An Independence man who told police he was suicidal when he stabbed a Kansas City police officer in the chest has beebeen charged with 1st Degree Assault, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced on Thursday.

Austin R. Lewis, dob: 9/25/1995, faces Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Kansas City police officers responded to 901 Grand on a reported stabbing of a police officer. They found the victim, the officer, on the ground. He had been stabbed in the upper left chest. He was in full uniform with clear police markings on his uniform and vest. He had been dispatched to the area on a medical call. He observed the defendant, huffing or inhaling an unknown substance. The officer was waiting with the defendant for an ambulance arrived, when the suspect quickly reached into a pant pocket and pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed the officer in the chest. The victim fell to the ground and drew his firearm. As he raised the gun, the suspect dropped the knife and began moving away. The officer advised dispatchers of his injury and asked for officers to respond. The injured officer also chased the suspect, giving him commands to stop. The suspect did stop and laid down on his stomach with his hands behind his back. The officer/victim then held the suspect at gunpoint until backup arrived. The defendant told police that he was suicidal and trying to kill himself by huffing when he was approached by the officer. He said he heard voices, got scared and felt cornered by the officer and stabbed him.

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.