By Hutchinson Tribune Staff
HUTCHINSON—A Hutchinson Police Department officer shot and killed a Hutchinson man when a theft investigation turned into a physical altercation on Sunday, June 7, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release Monday morning.
According to the release, police officers responded to a residence at 3313 Dartmouth Road for a follow-up on a theft investigation at about 6 p.m. A man wanted for questioning, 30-year-old Jonathan Lawrence of Hutchinson, stepped outside the residence to speak with the officers.
Officers saw that Lawrence had a handgun and attempted to detain and disarm him, the KBI wrote. That attempt turned into a physical altercation, and police reported that Lawrence battered two officers and fled into the home’s garage.
One officer used a Taser against Lawrence, who fell and dropped the handgun, the KBI wrote. While a second officer attempted to restrain him, Lawrence reached for and regained control of the handgun, and the officer who used the Taser drew a service weapon and fired multiple shots, striking Lawrence, the KBI continued.
The officers attempted life-saving measures and were assisted by Reno County Sheriff’s Office deputies until Reno County Emergency Medical Services arrived, the KBI wrote. Lawrence was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
No officers were hurt in the incident.
The Hutchinson Police Department requested a KBI investigation at about 7:23 p.m., and KBI agents and its Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.
The KBI wrote that the investigation was ongoing and could take several weeks to complete and that its Monday release was only preliminary, based on early statements and evidence collected.