Story by Andy Lyons, Managing Editor
Photos by Andrew Mather, Photographer

A Warrensburg High School senior killed himself Friday after being spotted in the high school parking lot with a shotgun.

The victim was later identified as Kyle M. Wittrock, 18, of Warrensburg.

At approximately 7:45 a.m., the Warrensburg Police Department was notified that someone in a green Ford Explorer was in the high school parking lot with a  shotgun. Officers stopped the vehicle behind the Classic Car Wash at Maguire and Clark streets, according to a news release.

Officers took cover while waiting for back-up units to arrive. Shortly thereafter, officers heard a shotgun blast come from the vehicle, according to a press release. After the back-up units arrived, officers approached the vehicle and found that the driver was deceased from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to a news release.

No shots were fired at the school, which was locked down during the incident.

Missouri State Highway Patrol and UCM Public Safety officers assisted WPD at the scene.