ELLIS COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Hays, Kansas, resulting in the death of an officer with the Hays Police Department.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, just before midnight, Hays Police Department (HPD) received a 911 call indicating a woman had escaped a domestic violence incident at a residence in the 2000 block of E. 21st Street in Hays, according to a media release from the KBI.
The woman reported that while she attempted to flee, her significant other, identified as Zane Wickham, 34, of Hays, drove his truck into her vehicle. She ran to a nearby home to call for help.
Preliminary information indicates that Sept. 28, at approximately 1:55 a.m., officers from HPD and a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were setting up a perimeter near the backyard of Wickham’s residence in the 2200 block of Downing Street. A single shot was fired from inside the house, and the round struck a Hays Police officer.
Officers immediately performed life-saving measures. The officer was then transported via air to a regional hospital. Despite efforts, he died from his injuries, just after 4 a.m.
The HPD Special Situation Response Team, the KHP Special Response Team, and the KBI High Risk Warrant Team responded to the residence where Wickham had barricaded. The teams negotiated with the suspect. Gas munitions, projectiles intended to break windows, and a surveillance drone were deployed into the residence during the standoff. No law enforcement officers fired their duty weapons throughout the incident.
At approximately, 6:15 a.m., tactical teams entered the house and found Wickham deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Ellis County Attorney. The investigation is ongoing.
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ELLIS COUNTY — A police officer was killed responding to a domestic violence call Saturday night in Hays.
Just before 11 p.m. Saturday, police responded a report of a domestic violence situation in the 2200 block of Downing Avenue, according to a media release from Hays Police. When the responding officer arrived, the suspect fired shots at the officer.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer was transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased.
Hays Police said there are no additional suspects being sought in connection with the incident.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation.