Benton Police Department detectives announced today they have identified the vehicle and driver involved in the Jan. 15 incident resulting in the death of one juvenile victim. The name of the driver is not being released at this time as detectives continue their investigation.
Following a criminal investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting of 42-year-old William Whitfield on July 24, 2022, Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton determined Benton Police Officer Brian Franklin was justified in his actions. The shooting resulted from a traffic stop turned pursuit that began near Cox and Edison and ended in the 2000 block of Kay Road. Whitfield succumbed to injuries sustained in the encounter.
BNPD responded to Tyndall Park on the evening of Sept. 20 for reports of shots fired stemming from a disturbance at the East entrance of the park among several individuals. Two adult victims suffered injuries and were transported for treatment. They have since been released.
BNPD responded to the Hwy 67 Big Red Valero on the afternoon of Sept. 23 in reference to shots being fired. Following investigation by detectives, it was determined a disturbance between two drivers escalated to shots being fired. Warrants have now been issued for both drivers.
Benton Police Department officers encountered a male subject with a gun in the Criminal Investigations Division lobby just before 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2. Following negotiations, the subject, 33-year-old Joseph McGowan of Benton, was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries occurred.
Benton Police Department detectives arrested 20-year-old Kanius Cummings at Fountain Lakes Apartments today on charges of Aggravated Robbery, a Class Y Felony, and Theft of Property following an armed robbery incident that took place just before 1 a.m. Tuesday at the Big Red Valero station on Congo Road.
