Kansas Motel Shooting Leaves Federal Officers Wounded

TOPEKA, KS - Four law enforcement officials were shot Saturday night while trying to arrest a fugitive at a motel in Kansas.

According to a statement released by the Topeka Police Department, the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force was attempting to locate a subject at the Country Club Motel when members of the task force exchanged gunfire with an unknown person outside the motel. The injuries were said to be non-life threatening.

Police said a fire occurred during these events.

Craig Beam, chief deputy U.S. Marshal for the Kansas district told USA TODAY the agency believes the fugitive set fire to the motel room and it was "very possible" that the subject died in the fire. Topeka Fire Marshal Michael Martin told WIBW the motel was destroyed in the blaze but did not comment further on whether the fire was intentionally set.

A statement released by the FBI said an unidentified body was located inside the motel. However, the statement did not say whether the body was that of the fugitive. The fugitive was identified as Orlando J. Collins, 28.

A federal warrant had been issued for Collins earlier in the month charging him with two counts of interference with commerce by means of robbery. According to the FBI, Collins was on the Kansas most wanted list and was considered armed and dangerous.

Two U.S. Marshals and an FBI agent were injured in the shootout. The fourth officials who was shot was likely a local officer, NBC News reported.

The Topeka Fire Department also responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Patch will update this report as more information becomes available.

Image via Topeka Police