By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Today marks one year since a Nebraska teenager was shot and killed during an altercation with an Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy, but there are still a number of unanswered questions.
Officials still have not officially released the name of the man killed, the findings from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have not been made public and officials have given no indication as the whether the shooting was deemed justified.
According to the Ellis County Attorney’s office, a motorist, identified by the Lincoln Journal Star as 18-year-old Kenton Kobza, David City, Neb., was stopped by Hays Police officers just after 3 a.m. Nov. 8, 2016, on north Vine Street in Hays for driving left of center.
After initially complying with the traffic stop in the 1800 block of Vine, Kobza allegedly fled north at a high rate of speed driving erratically on U.S. 183.
The media release from the county attorney said Kobza lost control of his vehicle while attempting to pass another vehicle and his vehicle ended up in a field about third of a mile south of the Ellis County/Rooks County line.
According to the press release, Kobza exited his vehicle and approached an Ellis County Sheriff’s deputy. After initially complying with commands, he attacked the officer, the release said. The deputy used his taser on Kobza twice. During the scuffle, Kobza knocked the deputy to the ground. While on the ground, the deputy pulled his weapon and Kobza allegedly grabbed the gun. The deputy fired his weapon multiple times, striking Kobza, who died at the scene.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation along with the Ellis County Coroner was called in to conduct the investigation immediately after the incident was reported.
Melissa Underwood, KBI communications director, confirmed this month the KBI investigation was completed and their findings have been forwarded to Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees.
Drees acknowledged receiving the KBI reports in March but has not released his findings. He said he has not had time to complete the report.
Drees was appointed as a special prosecutor for a case in Sheridan County. The case has moved to a jury trial and is expected to last several more days.
Ellis County Sheriff Harbin said the deputy is back on duty and has been since the beginning of the year. Harbin placed the deputy on suspension after the incident. After waiting several weeks for the investigation to be completed, he lifted the suspension, allowing the deputy to return to work.