Story highlights Capt. Robert Melton was shot as four suspects bailed from vehicle, police chief says

Suspects were sought in connection with reported drive-by shooting

Kansas City, Kansas (CNN) A police officer in Kansas City, Kansas, who was shot Tuesday while chasing suspects allegedly involved in a drive-by shooting, has died, police Chief Terry Zeigler said.

The officer was identified as Capt. Robert Melton. He was 46 years old and had been with the department for 17 years.

Zeigler told reporters the officer was looking for four people in a car some time before 2 p.m. when the vehicle was spotted and a chase began. The chase ended about 2 miles from where the suspects were initially reported to a 911 dispatcher.

"As Capt. Melton was arriving, the suspects bailed from the vehicle and opened fire," the chief said. "I don't have any more details than that."

Another officer who had just arrived called for assistance, police spokesman Thomas Tomasic said earlier during a briefing at the scene of the shooting.

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