SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue to investigate after a standoff at a home in Sedgwick County.
Just before 4:30p.m Thursday, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic violence incident involving a handgun in the 8400 block of South Minnesota Circle near Haysville, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.
It was reported to deputies that a 79-year-old male suspect threatened his 47-year-old son with a handgun. Witnesses said the suspect pointed the gun at his son during an argument over money and threatened to kill him. After being locked out of the home, the suspect reportedly threatened to shoot through the door to regain entry. He was eventually allowed back inside prior to deputies arriving; no shots were fired.
Deputies secured the area and safely evacuated other family members from the home. The suspect remained inside, allegedly still armed. Despite several attempts to call the suspect out of the house, he refused to surrender. To avoid further escalation and ensure the safety of others, deputies withdrew from the scene after confirming all other individuals were safe and the suspect was the only person that remained inside the home.
On Friday, Jan. 17, detectives contacted the suspect by phone to negotiate his surrender, but he refused. That evening, a search warrant was obtained. Given the seriousness of the situation, the Wichita/Sedgwick County SWAT team and crisis negotiators were called in. Negotiations began at about 10:30 p.m. with several phone attempts to contact the suspect, but he continued to refuse to surrender. Chemical munitions were used to encourage compliance, but the efforts did not lead to a peaceful resolution.
Shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, after nearly 7 1/2 hours of negotiation, SWAT members entered the home and found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
There is no ongoing threat to the public and the investigation into this incident is still ongoing. Names of those involved have not been released.