UPDATE”The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has identified the man who was shot and wounded in an incident Friday morning as Romelle Dixon, 19, Junction City.
Authorities said a Deputy conducted a traffic stop with a Chevrolet Malibu in the 1500 block of North Calhoun regarding suspected narcotics violations. Immediately after the stop was initiated, the driver, Romelle Dixon, exited the vehicle while holding a handgun. Dixon made many verbal and non-verbal actions in the presence of the Deputy indicating he wanted the Deputy to shoot him, including holding the gun to his own head and telling the Deputy “shoot me.”
Eventually Dixon fled on foot and Deputies pursued him in a southeast direction to the 700 block of West 14th Street. While fleeing, the gun the suspect was holding discharged, striking the suspect in the chest. It is unknown at this time if the gun discharged accidentally or intentionally. Deputies conducted life saving measures until Junction City EMS arrived. Lifestar transported Dixon by helicopter to Salina Regional Health Center.
WHile Deputies were attending to Dixon the remaining occupants in the Chevrolet Malibu left the scene but all of them and the vehicle have since been located. As of 3:45 p.m. Friday Dixon was listed in critical condition, but was expected to live.
All injuries sustained by Dixon during this incident were self-inflicted. Law enforcement did not discharge any weapons.
Sheriff’s Detectives are still gathering information and evidence and will be working with the Geary County Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges will be requested.
UPDATE:
The Geary County Sheriff’s Office has released more information concerning a shooting incident Friday morning.
At 10:43 a.m. a Sheriff’s Deputy encountered a silver 2006 Chevrolet Malibu containing multiple occupants near the 700 block of West 14th Street. According to Captain Brian Hornaday when the Deputy made contact one of the occupants exited the vehicle holding a handgun and eventually fled from the area.
Sheriff’s Deputies engaged in a foot pursuit with the suspect. During the foot pursuit, the suspect’s gun fired, striking the suspect in the chest. All injuries sustained were self-inflicted. Law enforcement authorities did not fire any weapons. Life saving measures were immediately implemented. Junction City EMS and Life Star responded, ultimately transporting the suspect to a hospital with life threatening injuries. The suspect was in critical condition Friday afternoon.
Due to the suspect’s current medical condition, the Sheriff’s Department is withholding his name at this time.
The silver 2006 Chevrolet Malibu and all persons of interest have been located. The 700 block of West 14th was closed temporarily following the incident, but has now been reopened for public use.
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UPDATE:
Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf has confirmed the shooting Friday stemmed from a traffic stop by the Sheriff’s Department and it was a self-inflicted shooting. The shooting victim had fled from the vehicle following the traffic stop. No shots were fired by law enforcement authorities.
Wolf noted the victim was transported to Geary Community Hospital.
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Captain Brian Hornaday said late Friday morning that the Geary County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred just prior to 1100 hours in the 700 Block of West 14th Street in Junction City, Kansas.
One person, who will not be identified at this time, has sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of a gunshot and has been transported to a hospital for treatment. In relation to the shooting incident, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a silver in color 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with Kansas registration 037 KYE. The occupants of the vehicle and their descriptions are unknown, but are all considered to be persons of interest in the investigation.
If you have any information related to this investigation, please contact the Geary County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 785-238-2261. If you see the vehicle of interest, do not approach! Contact local law enforcement immediately!
The 700 Block of West 14th Street is closed while the investigation is being conducted. Please use alternate routes of travel for that area.