BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Barton County are investigating a reported Saturday shooting and asking for help to locate suspects.

Phillip Pardo, 35, was shot around 10 p.m. Saturday night in an apartment complex at 3900 Forest Avenue, according to a media release.

The gunshot resulted from a confrontation that took place in the parking lot of the apartment complex. The shooter fled the scene prior to the arrival by police.

Pardo was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital by Great Bend Fire/EMS, and was later transported to a Wichita hospital with unknown injuries.

Shortly after that report, officers were dispatched to a residence several blocks away where residents said they had found two men in their front yard. Believing that the men were attempting to break into their home, a man at the residence brought a gun out onto his porch to confront them.

The subjects fled southeast from the area along the railroad tracks. Police believe the incident was related to the shooting at 3900 Forest.

Detectives have identified a suspect and are in the process of following up on leads.

Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch says the shooting incident is disturbing. “Such reckless and dangerous behavior is obviously very concerning,” Couch said.

“This took place in a very residential area where a lot more people could have been hurt. I hope anyone in the community with any information about the incident will contact the Police Department, so that we can bring the suspect to justice and send a strong message that our community won’t tolerate such behavior.”

If you have any information regarding this case, you are encouraged to call the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-1920.