Lawrence, Kansas – A quiet Thursday evening turned tragic in Lawrence after a deadly shooting claimed the lives of two men and left a woman in critical condition. The incident, which unfolded just after 8 p.m. in the 1600 block of Haskell Avenue, has sent shockwaves through the community as police continue to investigate what appears to be a deeply disturbing case of domestic violence and deadly confrontation.
According to the Lawrence Police Department, multiple 911 calls began pouring in around 8:05 p.m. Thursday evening, with at least one caller reporting a man running through the Edgewood Apartments parking lot while firing a weapon. Responding officers arrived to find a gruesome scene and immediately began securing the area, which was quickly cordoned off with crime scene tape as a growing number of officers and investigators converged on the scene.
Police discovered three individuals:
- A 21-year-old Lawrence man, found dead inside a vehicle from an apparent gunshot wound.
- A 24-year-old Lawrence man, found nearby on the ground, deceased from what authorities believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- A 22-year-old Lawrence woman, suffering from life-threatening injuries due to gunfire. She was quickly transported by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition as of the latest update early Friday morning.
In a statement released around 1 a.m., law enforcement officials provided early details of what is believed to have led to the tragic chain of events. According to police, the 24-year-old male suspect and the 22-year-old female victim had recently ended a romantic relationship. On Thursday evening, the woman arrived home at the Edgewood Apartments, where she discovered that the suspect had entered her residence.
An altercation is believed to have occurred inside the home, prompting the woman to flee to a vehicle where the 21-year-old man was waiting. Police say the suspect then followed her to the vehicle, where he fatally shot the man in the truck, before pursuing the woman as she tried to escape. He allegedly shot her as she fled, and then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life near where the injured woman lay.
Authorities have confirmed that the families of all individuals involved have been notified, and the names of the deceased are expected to be released sometime Friday morning.
The crime scene remains under investigation as police continue to piece together what led to the fatal shooting. Detectives are reviewing evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage from the apartment complex, and forensic data from the scene.
Lawrence Police emphasized that this appears to be an isolated, domestic-related incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved,” a police spokesperson said in the early morning hours. “We are keeping the families of the victims in our thoughts and are working diligently to ensure they have the support they need.”
The tragedy has once again brought the issues of domestic violence, gun violence, and mental health to the forefront, leaving residents shaken and grieving.
Community members and local advocacy groups are urging anyone who may be experiencing domestic abuse or knows someone at risk to seek help. Resources are available locally and nationally for individuals in crisis.
As the investigation continues and the community begins to absorb the weight of what has occurred, many are rallying around the surviving victim and the grieving families, offering support and solidarity in the face of devastating loss.
Further updates, including the names of the deceased, are expected later today as authorities complete formal identification and release additional information.
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