Pursuit involving armed man ends in vehicle explosion in Gower; no deputies injured

GOWER, Mo. (KQTV) -- A pursuit involving a man armed with a firearm and explosive devices ended with an explosion in Gower Saturday afternoon.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office received a call at 11:37 a.m. of a report of a possible suicidal subject in Gower.

Deputies responded to the area and spoke with residents who made the report. Deputies were told the man had threatened "suicide by cop" and was armed with a firearm and explosive devices.

At 12:19 p.m., deputies received information about the possible location of the man at a residence just outside Gower.

Deputies arrived at the residence and located the man, who was carrying a black backpack. Authorities said he refused commands before getting into a vehicle and leaving the residence.

Clinton County deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, initiating a pursuit.

During the pursuit, authorities said the man drove head-on toward deputies and held what appeared to be an explosive device outside the vehicle window as he passed.

At 12:29 p.m., deputies reported the pursuit had entered the driveway of a local restaurant in Gower before continuing into an open field behind the business.

Two minutes later, at 12:31 p.m., deputies reported an explosion inside the man's vehicle. Authorities said shrapnel struck patrol vehicles. No deputies were injured.

Deputies established a perimeter around the vehicle, and several nearby residences were evacuated as members of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Bomb Squad responded.

The bomb squad began working to clear the vehicle of any secondary explosive devices.

The Gower, Cameron, and St. Joseph police departments; the Kansas City Police Department Bomb Squad; the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Tri-County Regional SWAT Team; and the Missouri Department of Conservation are assisting at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing.

KQ2 will provide updates as they become available.