BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a weekend incident involving gunshots in Ellinwood.

Just after 11p.m.  Saturday January 5,  police responded to the 500 block of East 2nd Street in Ellinwood in reference to Violation of Protection Orders and Criminal Threats, according to a media release.

The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Ryan Alan Mead and officers responded to his residence in the 100 block of West B Street. as multiple gunshots were reported in that area.

Officers determined the suspect fired approximately fourteen 9mm rounds from a hand gun into the ground in the front yard of his residence, then fled the scene at a high rate of speed in a Ford Explorer just before the officers’ arrival.

The investigation continued into the early morning hours of Sunday, when the suspect’s unoccupied vehicle was located in the 5800 block of Broadway in Great Bend.

Officers developed information on a possible suspect location  and responded to the 5900 block of Eisenhower Court where they took Mead  into custody without incident just after noon.

Mead was booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Criminal Threat, Violation of Protection Order, and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.  He is being held on a $5,000 Bond.

This case is still under investigation, anyone with information is asked to contact the Ellinwood Police Department.