Man who shot two Kansas deputies dies, KBI says

Posted: Updated:
Scene in Ottawa County where a man was captured after shooting 2 deputies in Jewell County, fleeing and then shooting himself. (KAKE) Scene in Ottawa County where a man was captured after shooting 2 deputies in Jewell County, fleeing and then shooting himself. (KAKE)
MANKATO, Kan. (KAKE) -

A man who authorities say shot and wounded two north-central Kansas deputies at a sheriff's office has died. 

The KBI said in a news release that 40-year-old Jason Whitson died at an area hospital after shooting himself. He entered the Jewell County Sheriff's Office in Mankato just before 8 a.m. and requested to talk with a deputy.

"As a sheriff’s deputy approached to speak with him, Whitson fired multiple times through a door that led into the dispatch room," the release said. "Two deputies were injured during the shooting. No law enforcement officers discharged their firearms."

One deputy underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition. The other was treated and released. 

Whitson fled in a Ford minivan and a trooper spotted him at around 8:45 a.m. near Glasco on U.S. 24. He continued on the highway at about 70 mph until stopping to let out a woman and five children and heading south on U.S. 81. 

Authorities performed a tactical vehicle intervention and Whitson lost control and stopped on the roadway near Minneapolis. Troopers approached the minivan and found him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Tragedy struck my office today," Jewel County Sheriff Don Jacobs said. "Jewell County had two deputies attacked... On a personal note, you always hear 'this won't happen in a place like this,' but it did."

Jacobs thanked the community for its support. 

The investigation is ongoing. Mankato is about 30 miles south of the Nebraska state line.


 

Check out these photos from across KAKEland snapped by our viewers, staff and local officials. Do you have pictures to share with us? Email them to news@kake.com.

MORE SLIDESHOWS HERE