Oct 13, 2022

Police arrest Kan. felon after hours long stand-off in Hays

Posted Oct 13, 2022 6:30 PM
Photos by James Bell/Hays Post
Photos by James Bell/Hays Post

ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect identified as 33-year-old Brenon Johnson transported from the scene via ambulance.

At 5:29 p.m. Wednesday, the Hays Communication Center received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance at 332 W. Eighth in Hays. The caller reported they were able to hear yelling and a physical disturbance in the basement apartment at that address. Officers from the Hays Police Department responded to the domestic disturbance. 

Officers arrived and two females exited the apartment, one female was covered in blood and had suffered multiple injuries. The second female also had blood on her. A male then exited the basement apartment, and he was also covered in blood. Officers attempted to detain the male, but he ran back inside the apartment. The suspect shouted that he had a gun, and he threatened to shoot the officers. The victims were removed from the scene and a perimeter was established around the building. Several homes and businesses were evacuated as a result of this incident. 

The Hays Police Department Special Situation Response Team and the Kansas Highway Patrol Special Response Team were called to the scene for the armed barricaded suspect. For over three hours, officers attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender with the suspect. These efforts were unsuccessful as the subject continued to break out windows, display knives, threaten to burn down the apartment complex, and threaten to shoot the officers. 

At 9:24 p.m., a chemical irritant was inserted into the apartment. Six minutes later the suspect exited the apartment but continued to resist arrest. The suspect refused to comply with the commands of the officers, and he then reached toward his waistband. Using a 40mm less than lethal launcher, a Hays police officer shot the suspect one time with a foam-tipped impact round. The suspect then surrendered and was taken into custody. The suspect was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to the hospital for minor injuries. 

Johnson photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections
Johnson photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections

 Johnson is being held in the Ellis County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, domestic battery, criminal threat, and interference with a law enforcement official.  He has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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ELLIS COUNTY —An hours-long standoff in Hays Wednesday ended with a suspect transported from the scene via ambulance.

Just after 5:30p.m, police first responded to the 300 Block of west Eighth Street on the report of an altercation at an apartment, according to a media release.

Upon the officers' arrival, the suspect entered the residence and refused to leave.

Area law enforcement agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Fort Hays State University Police and Hays Police Department secured several blocks around the building and negotiated with the subject for over three hours before he exited the home around 9:30 p.m.

Ellis County Emergency Medical Services and the Hays Fire Department were also on scene to assist.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.