A body believed to be that of a 22-year-old suspect in a deadly string of highway shootings near Kansas City World Cup venues has been discovered by his family in the basement of a burned home. The family contacted police after finding the decomposing remains hidden beneath piles of debris.
The family had visited the home several times since it caught fire during an overnight police standoff, but the body was only discovered after police removed debris and noticed a distinct odor. Investigators, federal partners, and K-9 units had repeatedly searched the Independence, Missouri property without success.
The basement was partially collapsed, flooded with water, and filled with a large amount of clutter, which complicated the search. The discovery brings a presumed end to a massive multi-agency manhunt that began after the suspect allegedly fired at vehicles along Interstate 70, just miles from Arrowhead Stadium.
The spree of shootings left one person dead and several others seriously injured, including an Uber driver who was shot while transporting soccer fans. During the search, the FBI offered a reward for information leading to the suspect's capture, warning the public that he was armed and dangerous.
Authorities are currently operating under the assumption that the deceased person is the suspect, noting that clothing on the body matched what the shooter wore during last week's attacks. A medical examiner will confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.
Officials have assured the public that there is no threat to the community and that all surviving victims are expected to recover. The investigation is ongoing, but the discovery of the body appears to bring closure to a tense and violent episode.
