SALINE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred Tuesday night in Saline County.
According to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, just after 5p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, the Salina Police Department responded to the report of an armed carjacking near 9th St. and Schilling Rd. in Salina. The carjacking suspect, who was later identified as 24-year-old Colt F. Wright, of Derby, is alleged to have taken a 2010 Jeep Wrangler at gunpoint.
A short time later, Wright struck a Salina Police Department vehicle with the Jeep in an attempt to elude officers. Then, officers from the Salina Police Department, and deputies from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office began pursuing the suspect. During the pursuit, Wright shot at law enforcement officers from both the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Salina Police Department who were chasing the fleeing suspect in their agency vehicles. A deputy from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was wounded when debris from a round striking the vehicle injured his face.
Police continued to pursue Wright until he lost control of his vehicle near Whitmore Rd. and Country Club Rd. in rural Saline County. Soon after he crashed, Wright exchanged gunfire with police. One sheriff’s deputy and one police officer fired their weapons. The suspect was struck by gunfire during the exchange. No law enforcement officers were hit by gunfire.
EMS responded and Wright was transported to Salina Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery. The Saline County sheriff’s deputy was also taken to Salina Regional for treatment of his injury.
The KBI will complete a thorough and independent investigation into this incident. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be turned over to the Saline County Attorney for review.
—————
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a carjacking and officer involved shooting in Saline County.
Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, an armed car jacking occurred at the Kwik Shop on Schilling Road in Salina, according to Police Chief Brad L. Nelson.
Just before 5:30p.m., a police officer observed the stolen vehicle on Magnolia. Prior to initiating a vehicle stop, the suspect backed up and rammed the officer’s vehicle at Magnolia and 9th Street. This resulted in the police vehicle being disabled and the suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. The officer was not injured.
Deputies from the Saline County Sheriffs Department located the vehicle a few moments later.
Salina Police officers and Sheriffs Deputies pursued the vehicle and the suspect fired multiple rounds at law enforcement during the pursuit.
Just before 6p.m., the suspect crashed at the intersection of Whitmore and Country Club Road. A Deputy and Salina officer discharged their duty weapons after the crash when the suspect exited the vehicle with a handgun.
The suspect was placed into custody and was transported to the Salina Regional Hospital for treatment.
A Deputy sustained minor injuries during the pursuit and was also taken to Salina Regional Hospital and was treated and released. No other officers were injured during this incident.
The suspect’s identify has not been released.
The KBI will be investigating this officer involved shooting.