Charges Filed in Killing of Kansas City Kansas Police Officer as Prosecutors Mull Death Penalty

The air was somber in a Wyandotte County courthouse conference room Wednesday as District Attorney Mark Dupree Sr., teary-eyed, announced capital murder charges against a man accused of striking and killing a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer.

Dennis Edward Mitchell III, 31, faces one count each of capital murder, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and two counts of theft, according to a charging document.

“Quite frankly, today is not a day that I look forward to,” Dupree said. “Because yet again, we stand here. But it is my hope that today the community will hear me that it is not OK to come after our law enforcement.”

The charges follow the death of Kansas City, Kansas, police officer Hunter Simoncic, 26, who was struck by a stolen truck on Tuesday while a man, allegedly Mitchell, fled from other officers.

A gunshot detection system had alerted police to shots being fired near the 7700 block of Everett Avenue, near Kansas City, Kansas Community College, around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating Simoncic’s death.

Responding officers found Mitchell unconscious in a stolen truck. He awoke as officers approached the vehicle and fled.

Simoncic was one of two officers deploying tire-deflating devices in the 7200 block of State Avenue when Mitchell swerved, intentionally striking Simoncic, police Chief Karl Oakman previously told reporters.

Simoncic was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead a few hours later.

“In his two years on the force, he made a profound impact on the department and the community he served,” Dupree said Wednesday. “The sacrifice will never be forgotten. To the family - this county stands with you in every way that we can, and in every way that is needed.”

It is still unclear if Mitchell will face the death penalty, Dupree said. The district attorney plans to discuss the option with Simoncic’s family, as well as law enforcement.

“It’s a process. Not only does all of the facts and all the evidence have to be considered, but also, this is not a decision to be made lightly. This is one that takes time,” Dupree said.

Mitchell is being held on a $2 million bond, Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office Public Information officer Jonathan Carter said.

Tuesday’s incident is not Mitchell’s first brush with law enforcement.

Mitchell has previously been convicted of drug crimes, including possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, for which he is awaiting trial.

Mitchell was released on a $5,000 bond in December in relation to the drug charges. He failed to appear in court in February, May and July. He posted a $7,500 bond after another arrest in June.

When Mitchell failed to appear for a court appearance in July, the man’s bail bonds company notified court officials that Mitchell was being held in Fremont County Jail in Iowa. The company requested Mitchell’s bond be released, and the request was granted.

Simoncic’s death comes exactly one month after Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming was killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Kansas City, Kansas’, Argentine neighborhood.

Shawn Harris, 38, was charged with capital murder and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection to Ming’s death.

A candlelight vigil will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday for Simoncic in front of the Unified Government Municipal Building in Kansas City, Kansas.

A memorial fund established to support Simoncic’s family can be found at any Public Safety Credit Union locations. Donations can be made to the KCK FOP Memorial Fund, c/o Simoncic Family.

A funeral will be held for Simoncic at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Children’s Mercy Park, KCKPD Public Information Officer Nancy Chartrand said in a press release. Parking lots will open at 7 a.m. and stadium gates will open at 8 a.m. A law enforcement processional will occur after the ceremony.

The Star’s Kendrick Calfee and Robert A. Cronkleton contributed to this report.

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