Alleged Olathe Shooter Asked Victims about Visa Status
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A man injured in a neighborhood bar shooting in suburban Kansas City that witnesses say was racially motivated says the alleged shooter asked two of the victims about their visa status before later returning and opening fire, killing one man and wounding another. 32-yearj-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed in the attack at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. 32-year-old Alok Madasani told The New York Times last night (FRI) that while at while at Austins, Adam Purinton "asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally." Both men were educated in the United States and were working here legally. Madasani told the Times, "We didn't react. People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level." Madasani said he went in to get a manager, and by the time he returned to the patio, the man was being escorted out. Madasani and 24-year-old Ian Grillot, were injured in the shooting. Madasani was released from the hospital while 24-year-old Ian Grillot remains hospitalized. Purinton was arrested early Thursday at a restaurant bar in Clinton, Missouri. He is jailed on murder and attempted murder charges.
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Legislature's Lurch to Center Cuts Brownback's Clout
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has seen its once-conservative Legislature lurch to the center with the flowering of a bipartisan coalition. Democrats and moderate Republicans are bent on erasing much of Republican Governor Sam Brownback's tax-cutting legacy and ready to bedevil other GOP leaders. In a week's time, the state House approved a huge increase in personal income taxes, voted to override Brownback's veto and approved an expansion of the state's Medicaid program. Supporters of the tax bill couldn't override the veto in the Senate but had a solid majority for undoing past, Brownback-inspired cuts in personal income taxes. Voters turned on the term-limited governor last year, largely because the state's budget has cratered. Two dozen allies lost seats. Lawmakers of all stripes say the Legislature's shift to the left is real.
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Wichita Police Investigate Shooting of 13-year-old Boy
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita are investigating a shooting that wounded a 13-year-old boy. The Wichita Eagle reports that a witness told police that someone repeatedly fired into a bedroom window early today (SAT), hitting the boy in the leg. Police say the boy was hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening. Police say seven other people were in the house at the time of the shooting. There was no immediate word about any arrests or charges. Police say seven other people were in the house at the time of the shooting.
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Newton Woman Held in Triple Shooting Released
NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — A woman who was taken into custody in connection with a central Kansas shooting that left four people dead has been released from custody. Harvey County authorities say a 42-year-old Newton woman was arrested Thursday. But the sheriff's department said she was released yesterday (FRI) after questioning and investigators don't expect to charge her. Three victims were found dead Thursday inside a home in Newton. A suspect in those deaths, 33-year-old David Lee Montano, of Newton, fled from the home and was shot to death by a Newton police officer during a confrontation. Harvey County Attorney David Yoder said yesterday (FRI) the shootings appeared to be a domestic situation, rather than drug-related. Yoder also said Montano was facing federal charges in a separate case, which was not related to Thursday's shooting.
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18 Kansas Counties Hit by January Ice Storms to Get Federal Aid
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Eighteen Kansas counties affected by a severe ice storm in January will receive federal disaster aid. The Kansas Adjutant General's office announced yesterday (FRI) that President Donald Trump has granted Governor Sam Brownback's request for the disaster declaration. The 18 counties were hit by ice January 13th through the 16th. Counties eligible for aid are Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellsworth, Ford, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kiowa, Meade, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Seward, Sheridan, Stafford, and Trego. More counties might be added at a later date. The declaration allows county governments to apply for funds for emergency work and to help repair or replace facilities damaged by the ice storm. It also activates a grant program statewide that seeks to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
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Wichita Man Convicted of Human Trafficking
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has been found guilty of human trafficking. U.S. Attorney Tom Beall says 25-year-old Daederick Lacy was convicted Thursday of sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking of an adult, and one count of interstate transportation of a minor for prostitution. Evidence at his trial indicated that two minor females and one adult female worked as prostitutes for Lacy. Prosecutors say Lacy advertised the victims on a web site, rented motel rooms for sex and took the victims to men who paid for sex. He also a minor female from Kansas to Texas for prostitution. Lacy's sentencing is scheduled for May 11th.
