Man Charged after Attempting to Strangle Baby at Overland Park Walmart

By Daniel Barnett
KCTV
October 20, 2016

http://www.kctv5.com/story/33425576/police-stranger-chokes-baby-at-overland-park-walmart

[with video]

Police say Oleh Zhownirovych tried to strangle the child in the checkout line with her mother. (Johnson County Sheriff)

The woman said that she did not know the suspect and that her baby is doing fine. (Andrew Zimmerman)

Charges have been issued for the man that tried to strangle a 4-month-old girl at an Overland Park Walmart.

Oleh Zhownirovych, 54, was charged Thursday with Aggravated Battery and Misdemeanor Battery by the Johnson County District Attorney.

Zhownirovych is from Clifton, New Jersey. Police say they're trying to figure out what he was doing in Kansas City and what would have motivated him to go after an infant.

Police say Oleh Zhownirovych tried to strangle the child in the checkout line with her mother. The store is located in the 7700 block of Frontage Road.

Officers say other customers and security quickly got involved, pinning the suspect to the ground until police arrived. The baby was treated at the scene. She is OK.

Zhownirovych was taken to a hospital before he was sent to jail. Police are investigating if drugs or alcohol could be a factor in this attack. Meantime, they're relieved others were quick to help.

"It's a wonderful thing that the bystanders were there and able to subdue suspect until police arrived," Officer John Lacy said.

Zhownirovych's first appearance in court Thursday at 1:30 p.m.