RUSSELL COUNTY – Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) are investigating a shooting where an officer from the Russell Police Department was shot at a hotel in Russell.
On Thursday, April 18, at approximately 8:15 p.m., information was received by law enforcement indicating a possible suicidal subject might be located in a room at the Days Inn at 1225 S. Fossil St. in Russell. An officer from the Russell Police Department, a deputy from the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper responded to the second floor of the hotel to conduct a welfare check on 29-year-old Taylor Malcom of Lenexa.
As officers knocked on the door to the hotel room and announced their presence, a shot was fired through the closed door, around 8:40 p.m. Within minutes, at least an additional three shots were fired from the hotel room. One of the shots fired struck a Sergeant from the Russell Police Department in his leg. No law enforcement officers returned fire, according to preliminary information.
Malcolm called 911 from inside the hotel room, and dispatchers helped convince him to surrender. At approximately 8:50 p.m., Malcolm came out of the room and was taken into police custody.
The Russell Police Sergeant was taken to a Russell hospital where he was stabilized, and was then transferred to the Hays Medical Center. He was listed in good condition Friday, and KBI officials said he is expected to recover.
Charges against Malcolm are pending and the investigation is ongoing.