5-Year-Old Killed, 8-Year-Old Critically Injured in Ellsworth County Shooting

KBI Press Release: The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office with investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 5-year-old in Brookville, Kansas.

On Saturday, March 28, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a caller from a residence located south of the intersection of Kansas Highway 141 and Ave. N, reported a shooting where two children were severely injured.

Deputies from the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, game wardens from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and EMS all responded to the home. They rendered aid to a 5-year-old female and an 8-year-old male who had suffered critical injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, the five-year old child was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 8-year-old child was flown to a Wichita hospital, where he is presently in critical condition.

The Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 4:10 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

Preliminary information indicates that a young child picked up a loaded, unsecured shotgun and fired, striking two siblings.

This investigation is ongoing. When the investigation concludes, the findings will be presented to the Ellsworth County Attorney’s Office.