Kansas Shooting: 3 Killed, Gunman Shot by Police at Hesston Workplace

HESSTON, KS - Four people were killed, including the gunman, and 14 others injured in Hesston, Kansas, during several shooting incidents in the area that ended at a workplace, authorities said at a press conference Thursday.

Police first responded to a report of a man shot in the shoulder while sitting in his truck in Newton, Kansas, a neighboring town, around 5 p.m. According to police, the shooter, who was in a vehicle, fired at two cars, striking one of the drivers. Police then responded to a report of a person shot in the leg on Highway 81.

The shooter stole the car of the victim who was shot in the leg and drove to Excel Industries in Hesston, police said.

Authorities received a report of a shooting in the parking lot of Excel before an active shooter call from within the facility. The gunman, an employee of Excel, was shot dead, police said.

Hesston is located approximately 35 minutes north of Wichita.

Police said 15 people were shot inside Excel, three of whom were killed. The shooter was also killed inside the facility.

The shooter had an “assault type” weapon, however Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton declined to give details on the type of weapon used. When asked about a possible motive, Walton ruled out terrorism but said authorities had some idea about the motive. He did not elaborate further.

In a press release issued Friday, the shooter was identified as 38-year-old Cedric Larry Keith Ford. Police said Ford had been served with an order of protection on Thursday, approximately an hour and a half before the call for the first shooting. He was armed with a handgun and a rifle.

Walton told KWCH in an interview that the order of protection was served against Ford for someone he was in a relationship with.

Walton said authorities were looking into whether Ford had been fired from Excel.

Police attempted to search the shooter’s home in Newton, however an individual, believed to be the shooter’s roommate, was not allowing authorities to enter the home Thursday evening. KWCH reported the standoff ended late Thursday, however authorities did not say what was found inside the home.

Lockdowns at all nearby business and institutions have since been lifted. Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita treated six patients, two of whom are in critical condition and four are listed as stable. Four victims were transported to Newton Medical Center in stable condition. Wesley Medical Center in Wichita treated four patients, including one who is listed in critical condition.

The shooting reportedly occurred at Excel Industries in Hesston, a manufacturer of turf care products.

“There’s going to be a lot of sad people once this is all over,” Walton said.

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