SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating two officer-involved shootings in Wichita over the past week.
Just after 11:30 p.m. Jan. 24, police initiated a vehicle pursuit near East Bayley and Schweiter Drive in Wichita after they located a suspect later identified as 43-year-old Larry Armour of Wichita, operating a vehicle that was reported stolen at knifepoint earlier in the night.
A police pursuit ended near East Harry Street and Green Street and Armour fled on foot.
Preliminary information indicates that then Armour entered a residence in the 2400 block of East Harry through the back entrance, while armed with a knife. A man who lived at the home who was unacquainted with Armour, was inside.
A tactical team, comprised of both officers from Wichita police, Sedgwick County sheriff's deputies and crisis negotiators, quickly responded to the residence.
Just before 1 a.m., members of the tactical team arrived on scene. Negotiations with Armour were attempted. Just after 3 a.m., a deputy observed Armour through a window, standing over the innocent resident threatening him with a large knife and shouting that he would kill him. The deputy fired one shot striking Armour, and ending the hostage incident.
Medical aid was administered to Armour, and EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died from his injuries. As a precaution, the resident was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was uninjured during the incident. No law enforcement officers were injured during the shooting.
Armour had a previous felony conviction for drugs and had been on parole since 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. On January 12, Wichita police arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated robbery and flee or attempt to elude police, according to Sedgwick County Arrest records.
Then on Jan. 29, the KBI began investigating the shooting death of 14-year-old Claude Hodges of Wichita.
At around 6:20 p.m. Jan. 28, police arrived at an apartment at 8405 W. Central in Wichita, to check on 14-year-old Claude Hodges after his father called concerned for his welfare.
When they arrived at the apartment they knocked and received no response. They observed a bullet hole in the apartment's exterior wall and also found a fired bullet on the ground near the entrance.
WPD officers quickly obtained a key and entered the apartment. Upon entering they found a woman, later identified as 43-year-old Kylee R. Hodges, of Wichita, holding a handgun. A shotgun was also nearby. Officers quickly withdrew from the apartment and notified negotiators.
Preliminary information indicates negotiators began talking with Hodges at around 8:20 p.m. A tactical team, comprised of both polie and deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office were called to the apartment at around 9:45 p.m.
Discussions with Hodges continued for several hours in an effort to convince her to disarm and exit peacefully. At one point they convinced Hodges to come out of the apartment and leave her handgun on the ground outside, but she remained close to the gun.
At around 1:40 a.m., Hodges quickly picked up the handgun again, and advanced toward officers while pointing the firearm in their direction. Two SWAT officers from Wichita police each fired one shot toward Hodges, striking her.
Medical aid was rendered, and EMS transported Hodges to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Once officers reentered the apartment, they discovered Claude Hodges in a bedroom deceased from a gunshot wound. Kylee Hodges underwent surgery and is expected to survive her injuries.
Police will continue to investigate the homicide of 14-year-old Claude Hodges. The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.