TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Atchison Police Department responded to a call around 5:45 pm on Friday, January 24th about a man with a gun. They also received a second call about a subject entering an apartment.
After arriving at 508 N 9th St., an officer exited his vehicle when shots were fired, eventually missing them and hitting the police car several times.
The shooter was identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Missouri, who ran back into the residence, where a woman known to McCray was being held inside.
Officers requested additional assistance from more Atchison officers, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team and the KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team.
Law enforcement tried to negotiate peacefully with McCray throughout the night to free the hostage, but he was uncooperative and continued to fire at officers.
Preliminary information suggests the attempt to free the hostage was made around 2:30 am. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were momentarily separated and a KHP soldier fired at McCray, hitting him.
The hostage was safely rescued and life-saving measures were administered to McCray at the scene. McCray was later transported to a Kansas City hospital in critical condition.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident and the KBI will offer a hostage victim support service.
KBI investigative agents and the KBI Crime Scene Response Team are conducting an independent investigation into the incident to uncover more information.
There are no further updates on the investigation at this time.
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