PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a December shooting appeared via Zoom before Pawnee County District Judge Gatterman Wednesday morning for arraignment, according to County Attorney Doug McNett.
Thomas R. Jones, III, aka Tre Jones, 22 of Larned, plead guilty to two counts of intentional aggravated battery with a firearm resulting in great bodily harm.
On Dec. 11, Pawnee County Communications received a 911 call after a man was shot at a house at 701 Elm in Burdett. Deputies from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and EMS from both Burdett and Larned responded to the scene.
Before deputies arrived, dispatch was advised through another emergency call, that a second male shooting victim was identified at a house a block away from the first call.
Investigators believe both victims were together when they were shot outside the house at 701 Elm. The second man was able to run to a house northwest of the area to get help.
The first victim was a 51-year-old man from Burdett, who was treated for several gunshot wounds and was transported by EMS to a Wichita hospital.
The second victim, a 30-year-old man from Burdett, was taken to Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Larned.
Both victims made full recoveries. Since a firearm was used, the crimes carry a presumptive prison sentence, according to McNett.
In support of the plea, Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett advised the Court the evidence would show that during the earlier morning hours of Dec. 11, Jones, along with Tristian Scott, 18, and two juveniles, travelled to Burdett with the intention of robbing an individual the group perceived had wronged them. Once they encountered the intended victim, Jones without warning opened fire with a shotgun striking both the intended target and another individual outside the residence.
The four suspects were arrested on Dec. 23 by Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents without incident.
The Pawnee County Judge accepted the plea and found Jones guilty of the two charges. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to waive his right to appeal the convictions and will be subject to registration as a violent offender.
Jones was originally charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, two felony counts of contributing to a child’s misconduct by encouraging the committing of a felony, two counts of felony aggravated endangering a child and felony interference with law enforcement or concealing of evidence.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Jones remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.
The two juveniles have already entered pleas for their involvement. Tristan Scott’s case is scheduled for preliminary hearing on May 26.