MEDIA RELEASE
FROM:
Don Scheibler
Chief of Police
Hays, KS
CONTACT PERSON:
J.B. Burkholder
Detective
Hays Police Department
(785) 625-1030
jburkholder@haysusa.com
DATE: August 21, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUBJECT: Accidental Shooting Death
On 08/20/2021 at 10:25PM the Hays Police Department received a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Larned Circle, Hays, KS 67601. Officers from the Hays Police Department and deputies from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Hays Medical Center where he later died from his injuries. The Coroner’s Office, detectives from the Hays Police Department, and agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were called to investigate the incident.
The ensuing investigation determined that the victim was at home with two other roommates. One of the victim’s roommates was in the front room preparing to make repairs to a firearm. While the victim’s roommate was handling the firearm, the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the head. The roommates immediately called 911 and waited on scene for law enforcement to respond. The initial findings of the investigation are that this was an accidental shooting and that there is no danger to the community.
The case remains under investigation by the Hays Police Department Investigations Division and no other information is being released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Det. J.B. Burkholder or Det. Sgt. Aaron Larson at (785) 625-1030.