SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a suspect wounded and an officer injured.
Just before 2p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shoplifter, suspicious character at Menards, 3660 N Maize Road in Maize, according to Maize Police Chief Jeff Weible during an impromptu news conference near the scene of the incident.
Maize police officers nearby responded and saw the suspect, later identified as a 41-year-old white male, who was southbound and climbing into a drain by a store exit driveway.
The suspect, according to Chief Weible, indicated he had a gun. As the officers were getting the suspect from the drain, he made a quick move. A Maize officers responded and fired a shot that struck the suspect. A bullet fragment also hit another officer in the hand.
Maize officers, who always carry a first aid kit, quickly rendered aid to the suspect and the injured officer with a tourniquet, according to Weible. EMS transported the injured officer and suspect to an area hospital for treatment. Police have not released their names.
A joint team from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the officer shooting investigation, according to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses.