Northland Neighborhood on Edge After Armed Man Spotted

 Kansas City, MO — April 26, 2025

A Northland neighborhood spent a tense afternoon Friday after reports of a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle surfaced near Overland Drive and NW Linden Road — not far from Chinn Elementary School.

Multiple residents reported the man, described as a Black male in his 20s, walking through the neighborhood with what some believed to be a "machine gun." One resident, Bryan Cip, noted that while driving, the firearm appeared to be an "AR-5" style weapon, possibly a toy with an orange tip painted black — but appearances did little to calm fears. "He wasn’t pointing it at anyone at first," Cip said, "but it’s not something you expect to see walking down the street."

Others described more alarming behavior. One resident said the man was "waving it around, pointing it at houses," while another parent, Tonya, reported that the man "tracked" her husband’s truck by aiming the weapon at him as he drove past.

The Kansas City Police Department quickly responded, dispatching multiple SUVs to search the area. Officers later found the man at the McDonald's on 64th Street, where he reportedly assaulted an officer during the encounter. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the weapon was real or a replica.

Residents say the man lives in the neighborhood and struggles with mental health issues. Several parents indicated they had previously contacted police about concerning behavior.

While Missouri law broadly permits both open and concealed carry of firearms, police and residents alike noted that waving a weapon in a threatening manner crosses the line into unlawful conduct. "It’s absolutely legal to carry," a nearby resident commented, "but pointing it at homes and people — that’s different."

As of Monday morning, there is no public word on charges filed, but many in the community are hoping the man receives the help and supervision he needs.