SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an incident that injured three police officers Saturday in Wichita say this was not an effort to ambush or attack anyone, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay. Two suspects involved are in custody.
Police detectives were on the scene in the area Sunday when the suspects attempted to enter the home in the 1400 Block of South St. Francis in Wichita and arrested 46-year-old James Hathorn and 43-year-old Tiffany Vulgamore without incident, according Ramsay.
Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check the residence on S. St. Francis. The homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to the vacant home and they believed someone might be inside.
Upon arrival, officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries to their legs, according to Ramsay during a Monday news conference.
Initially, the officers thought it was an explosion or even a bomb, according to Ramsay.
The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released Saturday. One of the other officers had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition. Both were to be released from the hospital Monday.
The Wichita Police Department SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.
Investigators also learned the two suspects had been staying at the home but had left before police arrived Saturday. The loaded, sawed off shotgun had been left in a side pouch of a recliner near the entrance of the home, according to Ramsay.
The shotgun had been modified and had no trigger guard making it very dangerous. It is believed that because of the lack of a trigger guard, the trigger likely was caught either on the fabric of the chair or an electrical cord that was in the pouch, which caused the trigger to activate and fire the weapon after it was disturbed by officers moving the furniture, according to Ramsay.
At this point, police do not believe this was a trap, ambush or an attack aimed to injure police officers or any others, according to Ramsay.
One of the officers may need additional surgery, according to Ramsay. "It could have been much worse had it (the wound) been higher up. At this point it appears all three should fully recover. "There may be some skin grafts necessary and we aren't sure exactly what the long term ramifications will be. Two of the officers should be able to return to work soon and the third we aren't sure," said Ramsay.
Authorities are investigating whether additional federal firearms violations are involved in the case, according to Craig Holloway with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The information will be turned over the United State's Attorney.