SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman wounded during by SWAT officers during a standoff at a Wichita residence after she allegedly shot and killed her 14-year-old son made her first court appearance in the case Tuesday.
Kylee Hodges, 43, was charged with First-Degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just before 6:30 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.
Police officers quickly obtained a key and entered the apartment. Upon entering they found a woman, later identified as 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. Hodges underwent surgery and was booked into jail Monday and is being held on one million-500-thousand dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.