RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a woman's death and the death of a Kansas registered offender accused of her death.
On February 20th, 2026, at approximately 8:19 P.M., officers with the Hutchinson Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of West 4th Avenue in reference to a reported shooting, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.
When they arrived, officers located a woman later identified as 37-year-old Lacy D Nelson of Hutchinson, with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began rendering first aid until Reno County EMS arrived on scene. She was transported by ambulance to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
During the investigation, Curtis E Richardson, age 49 of Hutchinson, was identified as a person of interest. Just before 9:30p.m., a statewide BOLO was issued for Richardson.
Just after 7a.m. Saturday, Pratt County Kansas Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Preston, Kansas, in reference to a reported robbery. The victim reported that a man forced entry into her residence and took her vehicle without permission
While en route, a Pratt County Sheriff’s Office deputy located the reported stolen vehicle traveling southbound on K61 Highway in Pratt County. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver, later identified as Richardson, refused to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the stolen vehicle left the roadway and drove into a field near NE 30th Avenue and NE 20th Street in Pratt County, where it became stuck. The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office deputy maintained scene security until additional units arrived.
The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) responded to the scene. Richardson refused to exit his vehicle despite multiple clear commands from the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office and continued efforts by the SRT negotiator. While he remained inside the vehicle, less-lethal tactics were deployed in an effort to gain compliance.
Richardson was later located inside the vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pratt County EMS initiated lifesaving measures. Mr. Richardson was transported by ambulance to Pratt Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Richardson had been listed as a registered offender following a drug distribution conviction in Crawford County in 2015, according to the KBI Offender Registry. He has previous convictions for theft, violation of the offender registration act and for various illegal drug violations, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.