Detective Brad Lancaster, 39, of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department was killed on Monday, May 9, 2016 while responding to a call about a suspicious person near Kansas Speedway. A nine-year department veteran and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Lancaster was shot multiple times by 28-year-old Curtis R. Ayers during the encounter.

After the shooting, Ayers fled in Lancaster’s unmarked police vehicle and carried out a cross-state crime spree. He abandoned that car, carjacked two other vehicles — one of which contained two young children who were later found unharmed — and continued into Kansas City, Missouri. During another attempted carjacking there, Ayers shot a female driver before he was shot and taken into custody by police.

Lancaster is survived by his wife and two young daughters and was remembered as a devoted family man and committed officer. Ayers later pleaded guilty to capital murder and other felonies; prosecutors did not seek the death penalty and he received life in prison without parole.

If anyone knew Detective Lancaster, his work, or has further information about the events that day, please share what can help the record.