WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita Police Department is investigating a multi-agency officer-involved shooting where the suspect, a 46-year-old Wichita man, was shot and is in serious condition at a local hospital.
Just after 2:30a.m. Wednesday, Valley Center police responded to a call about a wanted person at a Valley Center residence on South Dexter, according to a media release from police.
The reporting party advised officers that the individual was wanted by law enforcement and had recently left the area. She provided a description of the suspect and information was shared that he was known to flee from law enforcement, resist arrest, and possess firearms.
Shortly thereafter, Park City police located the suspect’s vehicle near the 7800 block of North Hartman Arena Drive. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect fled, initiating a short pursuit that ended when the suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed through the fence of an RV business in the 8500 block of North Hartman Arena Drive.
The suspect exited the vehicle and ran. Officers from multiple agencies, including Valley Center, Park City, Bel Aire, Kechi, Maize, and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, conducted a search of the area.
After an hours long search, a Sedgwick County Sheriff deputy located the suspect, who was armed with a firearm, and an exchange of gunfire ensued between the suspect and a Sedgwick County Deputy, a Maize officer, and a Park City Sergeant. The suspect continued to flee while firing multiple rounds at the deputies and the officers. He then dropped the weapon near a camper and attempted to hide underneath it.
Officers issued multiple commands for the suspect to surrender, but the suspect failed to comply and attempted to retrieve the firearm that he had dropped. A Sedgwick County Sheriff's deputy fired striking the suspect.
The suspect was taken into custody and officers immediately rendered life-saving aid until Emergency Medical Services arrived. The suspect was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.
The suspect is wanted by the Wichita Police Department for Aggravated Battery, Criminal Damage to Property, and Criminal Threats, stemming from an incident on June 2.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing. As a part of the A.L.E.R.T. protocol, the Wichita Police Department's Investigations Division has assumed responsibility for the officer-involved shooting investigation.