RICE COUNTY — One person was hospitalized and another is in custody after a shooting in Sterling.
Just before 10p.m. Sunday, Rice County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 708 East Main Street in Sterling for a report of shots fired, according to a media release.
Upon arrival, deputies located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. The individual was transported by EMS to an area hospital in critical condition.
The suspect fled the scene on foot and was believed to be armed with a firearm. A coordinated search was conducted with assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Sterling Police Department, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Following the search, the suspect was located and taken into custody. The suspect is currently being held in the Rice County Detention Center in lieu of a $20,000 bond.
KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team assisted with processing and collecting evidence. This incident remains under active investigation, and no further investigative information will be released at this time.
Rice County also used Everbridge, our mass notification system, to provide public safety messaging during the incident. Everbridge alerts may be sent to specific geographic areas based on the nature of the incident and the potential risk to the public.
The system relies on available contact and address data, including data associated with the 911 addressing system. One part of that system is commonly referred to as MSAG, or Master Street Address Guide, which helps validate addresses and associate them with the appropriate emergency response area.
Because alerts rely on available data and mapped alert areas, not every person will necessarily receive the same message. Delivery may also be affected by carrier issues, phone settings, disconnected numbers, outdated contact information, or other technical limitations.
We are reviewing the notification process with emergency management to better understand what occurred and identify improvements for future alerts.
At this time, there is no known ongoing danger to the public.