One dead, one hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Salina, KBI says

One person is dead and another is hospitalized after an officer-involved shooting on Friday in Salina, officials say.

KBI agents were looking for a man wanted in a KBI case and who had warrants for his arrest, according to a news release from the KBI and Kansas Highway Patrol. The man got into a vehicle and the KBI agents and a Kansas trooper made a traffic stop at around 3:55 p.m. on Friday, the release says.

“The driver stopped, and as they approached the car, the law enforcement officers took gunfire from occupants in the vehicle. Two KBI agents and a KHP trooper returned gunfire hitting two male subjects,” the release says. “Life saving measures were attempted at the scene. Both subjects were transported to area hospitals with critical injuries.”

The two were taken to Salina Regional Health Center.

Kalun Purucker, 29, of Topeka, died Friday at the hospital, the release says. A 20-year-old Lindsborg man remains hospitalized in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

“He will not be named unless, or until, he is arrested or charged with a crime related to this incident,” the release says.

No officers were injured.

The trooper and agents have been placed on administrative leave, according to each agency’s policy.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is investigation the incident. It’s common to have an independent organization investigate when there is an officer-involved shooting.

This story was originally published October 9, 2020 at 6:37 PM.