KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City police officer is recovering after being stabbed by a man who may have been suffering a mental health crisis.
The stabbing happened Wednesday evening in downtown Kansas City, where officers responded to a medical call.
According to court records, police officers responded to 901 Grand on a reported stabbing of a police officer. They found the victim identified as 25-year-old Austin R. Lewis and 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 Lewis huffing or inhaling an unknown substance.
The officer was waiting with the defendant for an ambulance arrived, when Lewis 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.
The officer, whose name has not been released, was in stable condition Wednesday night, police said.
Lewis has been been charged with 1st Degree Assault, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced Thursday.
Police say the incident did not appear to be related to protests being held in Kansas City.