Woman killed in Harper County lunged at officer with knife, scissors: KBI
Editors note: The KBI says a Harper County Sheriff’s deputy fired the shot
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting near Attica in Harper County that left a woman dead.
The Harper County Sheriff’s Office said it happened around 7 a.m. and requested the KBI to investigate.
The KBI originally said the shooting involved the Attica Police Department and occurred along U.S. Highway 160 near Attica, but later clarified it was a Harper County Sheriff’s Office deputy who fired and that two Attica police officers were there when the shooting occurred.
The woman, later identified as Cheryl Gaines, 54, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was shot and pronounced dead. No law enforcement officers were hurt.
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The KBI said a driver called 911 around 6:55 a.m. to report a vehicle was stopped in the road on Highway 160. A Harper County deputy responded to the area roughly one mile west of Attica where he found a Toyota Prius in the middle of the highway. He approached the vehicle to offer assistance.
The KBI said preliminary information indicated as the deputy approached the car, he saw a woman holding a knife in one hand and scissors in the other. An officer from the Attica Police Department arrived on scene, and they both backed away from the vehicle and called backup.
Law enforcement gave “numerous” commands for Gaines to drop her weapons and get out of the vehicle. She later exited the vehicle but did not drop her weapons. She then charged and lunged at the deputy and officer with the knife and scissors.
As they were retreating, the Attica police officer tripped and fell. Gaines caught up to him while still armed. That’s when, the KBI said, the Harper County deputy fired three shots at Gaines.
The Kansas Department of Transportation reports that U.S. Highway 160, west of Attica, is closed due to law enforcement in the area.
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