Gower, Mo. man dies in vehicle explosion following police chase

GOWER, Mo. (KQTV) -- A 54-year-old Gower man died Saturday after an explosive device detonated inside his vehicle during a law enforcement pursuit, authorities said.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Christopher Williams.

The incident began around 11:30 a.m. Saturday when the sheriff's office received a 911 call about a potentially suicidal person in Gower. Deputies who responded learned Williams had made threats of "suicide by cop" and was believed to be armed with a firearm and explosives, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies located Williams outside a residence near Gower at about 12:20 p.m. Carrying a black backpack, he refused commands from law enforcement and fled in a vehicle, initiating a pursuit, authorities said.

During the chase, Williams drove head-on toward deputies while displaying what appeared to be an explosive device out the driver's window, according to the sheriff's office.

The pursuit continued into an open field behind a local business off a restaurant driveway in Gower. At around 12:30 p.m., an explosion occurred inside Williams' vehicle. Shrapnel from the blast struck surrounding patrol cars, but no law enforcement officers were injured, authorities said.

The Kansas City Police Department's Bomb Squad responded and cleared the vehicle, discovering a secondary explosive device, the sheriff's office said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.