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The subject was known to visit the Linn County, Kansas area and friends and relatives believed that the subject may be in Linn County.
On the subject’s Facebook page, the subject suggested that he would end his life or cause it to be ended by Law Enforcement. The subject’s phone was pinged, and it was found to be in northern Bourbon County. Later, the phone was pinged again and found to be around 950 RD. and Gorman LN. (Critzer Lake area) in Linn County.
Deputy Sheriff’s arrived to search for the subject and found him at the Critzer Lake parking area. The subject had a handgun. One of the responding Deputies circled the parking area and took up post between the subject and a pier, where citizens were fishing. Deputies negotiated with the subject for some time and the subject suggested that he was “done” and he would not be “talked down”. The subject began to shoot erratically about the area. Deputies took cover and observed the subject.
Linn County Deputies responded with an armored vehicle to rescue the citizens and the Deputy from the area of the pier as they were pinned down on the pier and could not exit the area due to the subject firing shots erratically about the area. A drone was deployed to be able to watch the area and movements of the persons involved in the incident.
When Deputies entered the area in the armored vehicle to retrieve the innocent bystanders the subject began shooting and finally the subject took his own life. No gunfire was exchanged, the suicidal subject was the only shooter in this incident. The case is under further investigation.
Kevin J. Friend, Linn County Kansas Sheriff
