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UPDATE: Suspect identified as KBI investigates officer-involved shooting in Rush County
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RUSH COUNTY - An armed robbery Tuesday morning in Lane County prompted a deputy in Ness County to pursue a suspect vehicle on K-96 into Rush County. The pursuit ended with the deputy shooting a suspect, indentified by the KBI as 42-year-old Timothy W. Kellebrew from Ashland City, Tenn., who was then flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was listed in fair condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

The Ness County Sheriff’s Office contacted the KBI at approximately 10:50 a.m. Tuesday to request assistance investigating the shooting. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) responded to investigate.

According to reports, a Dollar General store in Dighton was robbed at gunpoint around 9:30 a.m. Then a Ness County Sheriff’s deputy observed a blue Dodge Ram pickup matching the description of the vehicle used in the robbery and attempted to stop it east of Ness City along K-96. The male driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit began.

Preliminary information indicates that the deputy pursued the Dodge Ram heading east along K-96 into Rush County. Rush County Sheriff’s deputies then deployed stop sticks, which flattened two tires on the vehicle. The driver continued traveling for several additional miles. Before his vehicle came to a complete stop, he forced a nearby pickup truck with a cattle trailer off the road. The man then exited the Dodge Ram with a handgun, and attempted to carjack the bystander’s pickup. As this was occurring, the Ness County Sheriff’s deputy fired multiple shots, and the subject was struck. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m.

EMS responded to the scene and the man was flown to Wesley Medical Center where he underwent surgery and is expected to survive. A female passenger in the Dodge Ram was detained and questioned about the incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the shooting. Once completed, the findings will be turned over to the Rush County Attorney for review. This investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.