Executive Summary
- Four Kansas law enforcement officers were shot and wounded while responding to a domestic violence call near Carbondale.
- The officers were identified as Osage County Deputies Christian Moran, Clayton Hartpence, James Cason, and KHP Trooper Adam Ellis.
- The suspect, 22-year-old Stephen McMillan, was killed at the scene; his 77-year-old grandfather was also wounded.
- All four officers are recovering from their injuries, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is leading the ongoing investigation.
Authorities in Osage County, Kansas, have officially named the three sheriff’s deputies and one state trooper who were wounded during a fatal shooting incident near Carbondale this past weekend. The officers were responding to a domestic violence call when the confrontation occurred, resulting in the death of the suspect.
Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells identified the wounded officers as Deputy Christian Moran, Corporal Clayton Hartpence, and K-9 Deputy James Cason. They were accompanied by Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Adam Ellis. All four were struck by gunfire and subsequently transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.
According to a statement from Sheriff Wells, the officers are receiving excellent care but are expected to face lengthy recovery periods. While the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) previously reported that one deputy had been released, the sheriff’s latest update did not provide specific details on their current conditions.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Stephen McMillan, was killed at the scene. McMillan’s 77-year-old grandfather was also wounded by at least one bullet during the incident and was hospitalized; his condition has not been updated.
Community support funds have been established to assist with the medical expenses for the injured officers. The Kansas State Troopers Association is collecting donations for Trooper Ellis, while the Osage County Sheriff Support Fund has been set up for the deputies.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead on the case and its inquiry into the full circumstances of the shooting remains active and ongoing.