This is a developing story.
Updated 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the names involved with the shooting this week.
Benjamin Roy Eaton Jr., 52, of rural Eudora, and Nicole Felice Eaton, 44, of rural Eudora both died in an apparent murder-suicide, according to information provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
After a standoff with law enforcement for several hours, officers found Benjamin Eaton inside the residence Friday evening dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, a news release said.
Updated 8:42 a.m. Saturday
Here are ways to help following the incident this week.
Updated 5:35 p.m. Friday
Two south Eudora residents are dead following a standoff that began Thursday night.
The male suspect, 52, shot and killed a woman, 44, at a home in the 900 block of East 2300 Road, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Kansas Highway Patrol entered the residence and found the male suspect dead.
Identification of the victim and suspect will be released at a later time, pending notification of family members, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sheriff Jay Armbrister said as part of the investigation there were concerns about a possible threat of explosives inside the residence, which was part of the reason why officers acted methodically over several hours.
Detectives and investigators are at the scene Friday evening.
“The Sheriff’s Office is with this family as they grieve during this horrifying time of tragedy. We wish them peace as they work through this painful time that no family should have to endure,” Armbrister said in a statement.
Below is an immediate recap of the mid-afternoon news conference.
You can watch the full press conference here:
Armbrister said a call came in at 8:52 p.m. Thursday from a female caller who said she needed help. The first officer on the scene was a Eudora police officer.
When the officer got to the front door, there was a gunshot from inside the house.
“We believe the female who called was the deceased person inside the residence,” he said.
Officers established a phone call with the male suspect who was hostile, threatening to shoot law enforcement and barricaded himself inside the residence.
Late this morning, police lost phone contact with the suspect.
Armbrister said they are “working very slowly and carefully to establish the suspect’s current status within the residence.”
It’s an ongoing, active threat, he said, but nobody else is in danger outside of the residence.
He did not confirm the identities of those involved and said it was a domestic incident. Identities will be confirmed when there is a conclusion to the incident.
Police used a drone to get inside the house after the call.
The suspect was actively engaged on his social media while this event was ongoing.
Authorities are actively working through a peaceful outcome, Armbrister said He said they didn’t know when the next update would be.
Nobody in law enforcement was physically injured in the incident.
They are doing everything they can to establish contact with the suspect inside the house.
He said they won’t give out the exact address where the incident is occurring.
They have been in contact with the family.
Authorities could be heard in the background saying, “We have a warrant for your arrest. Come out the front door now.”
Updated 2 p.m.
We are meeting with authorites at 3 p.m. and will have updates soon after.
Updated 1:20 p.m.
We have asked the Sheriff’s Office to set a news conference time to give more details.
Updated 12:48 p.m.
Daniel said any press release or news conference will be handled by Douglas County.
Updated 12:20 p.m.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s call log, 46 officers responded to a shooting at 8:52 p.m. Thursday.
Lawrence police officers are assisting the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with this call and will share any updates they provide.
Updated 12:10 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Zack Daniel said he’s reached out to the police department to see what details can be released and will provide more information as soon as possible.
We’ve been working all morning trying to get more information. Here is what the Sheriff’s Office told us so far:
“The DGSO and area law enforcement agencies are on the scene of a suspected shooting that occurred Thursday night south of Eudora.
There is no public danger to those beyond the property in the 900 block of E 2300 Road, and deputies have blocked roads in the area.
Further information will be provided when we are able.”
