Friday, November 12, 2010

Wichita Police continue to investigate the man who they say forced them to open fire. Officers shot the 41-year-old suspect early this morning. He later died from his injuries.

Police were originally called to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the Wilson Estates on the 8900 block of East Churchill Court around 2:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, police say they found the suspect standing in the front yard of a vacant house where he used to live. He reportedly drove his car through the garage door of the home, got out and started shooting randomly.

"We're still early on, we have no idea why he was at this residence or why he was firing shots," said Wichita Police Lt. Todd Ojile. "He was not in a disturbance with anyone, he just happened to be in front of the residence by himself. There was no one else out there, he wasn't arguing with anyone."

Police say the suspect fired at a car with a newspaper delivery woman in it. She was not hit and drove away.

The suspect then reportedly went to the back of the home and climbed over a privacy wall into an adjacent gated neighborhood. That's when police say he fired shots into another home. As officers tried to catch the man, he pointed a rifle at them but then ran behind the house.

He allegedly came out from another corner of the house, and again pointed the rifle at police, and he was shot several times.

"The officers have a rifle pointed at them, do not know this individuals mindset, they are in fear for their lives. Taking an individuals life is not an easy thing," said Ojile.

Police say the suspect did not have a prior record, and there's not an indication alcohol was involved at this time. The man's name has not yet been released. Investigators say the suspect lived at the home where he drove through the garage door about a year-and-a-half ago.

This is the second fatal shooting involving Wichita Police officers in the past week.

There were several officers involved in the incident. Per protocol, they have been placed on administrative leave. KBI is assisting with the investigation.