Suspect dead, three Cowley sheriff’s deputies injured in shooting near Winfield

Three Cowley County sheriff’s deputies were injured in a shooting roughly 5 miles north of Winfield that left the suspect dead Friday afternoon.

The Kansas Highway Patrol confirmed the shooting to The Eagle, saying one deputy was airlifted to Wesley hospital in Wichita and the other two have been taken to Wesley in an ambulance.

Cowley County Sheriff David Falletti told reporters on the scene that the deputies are in stable condition.

“Earlier today, our deputies were dispatched to the area for a suspicious vehicle. During that contact, gunfire was exchanged, three deputies were struck, and one individual that was in the vehicle was deceased,” Falletti said.

He said the suspect who was killed, a woman, was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, which took place around U.S. Highway 77 and 122nd Road.

Falletti said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“There is no emergency at this point. We do not believe anyone else is out there,” Falletti said.

The sheriff’s office said late Friday afternoon that two of the deputies were in good condition and could be released soon. The third deputy had more serious injuries but was also expected to recover, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities did not release any additional information. The sheriff said investigators were trying to determine what occurred before the shooting.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 1:47 PM.