Far-Left activists and some media organizations claimed that Kansas City police shot an unarmed pregnant black woman five times late last week—a claim that appeared to be be refuted by body camera images released by law enforcement.
Leonna M. Hale, 26, was charged with several counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest, the local prosecutor’s office said. Still images taken from video showed her brandishing a gun and defying police instructions.
“Video surveillance from body cameras showed Hale being told to drop the firearm and pointing it at the officers before the officers fired three shots,” Fox 4 reported. “One officer told investigators she feared that Hale was going to shoot her and she discharged her firearm one time. A second officer also told investigators that he believed Hale had a firearm pointed at him.”
Kansas City police shot at a person who brandished a pistol. https://t.co/zbX7ycQHwv pic.twitter.com/pKQ5dZ11EY
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement on Wednesday that their “review of the investigation revealed the defendant, although she denied having a weapon at the time of the encounter with law enforcement officers, continually displayed a weapon during her encounter with police officers and also appeared to be attempting to flee.”
“The two officers stated that she was armed with what they believed to be a handgun,” Baker added. “Body camera footage confirms the officers’ statements that Hale was holding a handgun. Still photos, taken from body cam footage, of this encounter also demonstrate a weapon was present and in the hands of the defendant.”
Baker blasted the “false narratives” that exploded on social media stemming from the false claims that the suspect was unarmed.
“Some false narratives about what happened last Friday night at 6th and Prospect Avenue, unfortunately, were relied upon by some media and other sources,” he said. “Our job, as prosecutors, is to remain neutral and review all evidence. Our review of body cam videos provided the actual accounting of events that night.”
Journalist Andy Ngo documented many of the examples of far-Left activists and leftist news organizations that promoted the claim that Hale was unarmed.
.@ryanshead spread the hoax to thousands of people on Twitter: https://t.co/0wtMv2a0bL pic.twitter.com/uxaYQm2tbe
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
Sociologist spreads disinformation about the shooting. https://t.co/t8bSB4znZq pic.twitter.com/LfmjPlxVOC
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
Linda Saraour, an Islamist extremist & campaigner for freeing an antisemitic terrorist, spread lies about the shooting in Kansas City. https://t.co/YOx6uyZMwQ pic.twitter.com/TT0lmldUfe
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
BET repeatedly spread the lie about the Kansas City firearm suspect being unarmed. #BLM https://t.co/0YGpagezJ6 pic.twitter.com/svVXR0qHnZ
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
Verified Des Moines chapter of BLM spread the lie about Leonna Hale being unarmed: https://t.co/Vw9wmIU2I0 pic.twitter.com/3pyz0Gegij
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
Kimberlé Crenshaw, an academic who teaches intersectionality and critical race theory, repeats the lie that Leonna Hale was unarmed. https://t.co/ZCz05ZxWix pic.twitter.com/fKxEYVCpra
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 2, 2022
The Missouri State Highway Patrol tweeted about the incident shortly after it happened on Friday, writing that they were asked by Kansas City Police to investigate a shooting involving their officers.
“On May 27, at 7:53 p.m. #KCMO officers spotted a suspect vehicle at the Family Dollar store located on Prospect & E. 6th,” they tweeted. “The suspect vehicle matched the description of an alleged armed carjacking suspect, reported by @KCKPDChief , a crime which apparently occurred in their city earlier in the evening.”
“As officers attempted to make contact with the occupants, the male driver (unidentified at this time) exited the vehicle and fled on foot & was apprehended,” they continued. The female suspect (Leonna M Hale, 1/6/96, KS) exited the vehicle & fled into the parking lot. Two officers fired shots. A suspect handgun was recovered from the scene. Hale was seriously injured & her condition is stable. No other injuries.”
…fled on foot & was apprehended.
The female suspect (Leonna M Hale, 1/6/96, KS) exited the vehicle & fled into the parking lot.
Two officers fired shots. A suspect handgun was recovered from the scene. Hale was seriously injured & her condition is stable.
No other injuries.
— MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) May 28, 2022