RILEY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a man was shot and killed early Saturday morning in Manhattan, according to a media release from the KBI.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, three officers from RCPD were working in the police substation in Aggieville when they heard gunshots. The officers immediately responded in the direction of the gunfire.
When they arrived outside a bar near 12th and Moro St., they found a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. They also observed an armed man nearby who ran from the area. Two officers chased the suspect on foot, while the third officer remained with the shooting victim and rendered first-aid. The victim was later identified as Joshua J. Wardi, 21, of Fort Riley.
Preliminary information indicates that as the armed suspect fled, he turned the corner onto 12th St. During the foot chase, one of the RCPD officers fired two rounds at the suspect, striking him in the leg, and causing him to stop part way down the block, between Moro Street and Laramie Street. Officers secured the handgun and provided medical assistance. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The shooting suspect was identified as Tremelle R. Montgomery, 19, of Fort Riley. EMS transported him to Ascension Via Christi hospital in Manhattan where he was then transferred to a Topeka hospital. Montgomery is currently in fair and stable condition. Wardi was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation suggests that earlier Friday night Wardi and Montgomery patronized the same bar in Aggieville. Later, while visiting outside in separate groups of friends, they engaged in a verbal altercation. At that time witnesses say Montgomery pulled out a gun and shot Wardi.
Anyone who witnessed either shooting is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.
MANHATTAN, KAN. – A Ft. Riley man died after apparently being shot by another Ft. Riley man in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.
The 19-year-old shooting suspect is in stable condition after being shot by an RCPD officer following the apparent homicide.
Officers located in the 1100 block of Moro responded to the sound of gunshots in the immediate area around 12:32 a.m. on Saturday, February 5. The officers found a 21-year-old male victim on the sidewalk suffering from apparent gunshot wound(s), he was later pronounced deceased on scene.
The 19-year-old male was taken into custody after being shot by an RCPD officer, then transported to Via Christi in Manhattan, and later to Topeka for further treatment.
Per department policy, the RCPD officers directly involved have been placed on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave. To ensure transparency and an impartial investigation, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will be the lead agency investigating both shootings.