According to a statement from Lenexa Police, officers were dispatched around 3:00 a.m. to an apartment complex near W. 97th Terrace in response to reports of a disturbance involving a person allegedly armed with a gun. Officers located Jose inside a parked vehicle near the pool clubhouse. What happened next remains under intense scrutiny.
Family members and advocates say that Jose was asleep in the vehicle at the time officers approached and that there has been no clear explanation from law enforcement as to why a firearm was discharged, striking him from behind. They also emphasized that being in possession of a firearm is not, in itself, a crime, particularly if the person is not posing a threat.
“We are heartbroken, confused, and outraged,” a relative stated. “We were not notified in a timely manner, and now we’re left with silence and grief. We need transparency.”
The family is now demanding the release of body camera footage to determine the justification behind the shooting. They argue that excessive force has become an all-too-common response from the department, rather than de-escalation or assistance, particularly in communities of color.
Witnesses in the area have echoed concerns about how Lenexa officers have handled past incidents, noting a pattern of force rather than support. The shooting has reignited conversations around police accountability, transparency, and the urgent need for reform.
The Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team (OICIIT) has been activated to lead the investigation, with the Olathe Police Department designated as the independent host agency.
As of now, no further details have been released regarding the number of officers involved, whether a weapon was recovered, or the exact sequence of events leading to the shooting. The officer(s) involved have not been publicly identified.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Community members can contact the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or provide anonymous tips to the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
As the investigation continues, the family of Jose Enrique Cartagena Chacon is left clinging to memories and calling for justice. Community vigils and public support are growing as loved ones seek the truth and honor the life lost.