A Missouri police officer was shot and killed Tuesday morning when a driver pulled a gun on him during a routine traffic stop, according to officials.
North Kansas City police officer Daniel Vasquez, 32, was shot after he stopped a driver in a gray Ford Taurus at around 10:40 a.m. for an expired temporary tag, officials said.
He was rushed to the hospital, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The suspected shooter fled the scene after shooting Vasquez, Clay County Sheriff Will Akin said at press conference. The incident prompted a search for the gunman that extended across multiple agencies.
Officer Daniel Vasquez was shot and killed after he pulled over a driver for an expired tag. (City of North Kansas City)
The suspect eventually turned himself in to the Kansas City Police Department, Freeman said. The identity of the shooter has not been released.
Vasquez had served with the North Kansas City Police for nearly two years.
"This morning, North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez was killed in the line of duty while performing a car stop in a neighborhood," North Kansas City Mayor Bryant DeLong wrote in a statement on Facebook.
MISSOURI SHERIFF SAYS EVEN UNDER ‘THREAT OF ARREST’ HE WILL NOT RELEASE GUN OWNERS' INFO TO FBI
Officer Vasquez (second from right) had served with the police department for nearly two years. (City of North Kansas City)
ST. LOUIS MAN SHOOTS AND KILLS ROBBERY SUSPECT WHILE STOPPING AT GAS STATION FOR BATHROOM BREAK
"I cannot express how excruciating this senseless death is for our organization and community. Daniel’s family, the NKC Police Department, and our entire community are grieving from this tragedy," he continued.
North Kansas City Police Chief Kevin Freeman said during another press briefing that Vasquez was a "shining star" in the department.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"All these are tragedies but to see such a young person so early on in his career lose his life to such senseless violence is just unfathomable," Freeman said.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
