Jan 28, 2024

Man who died in Kan. deputy shooting had history of crime

Posted Jan 28, 2024 2:00 AM
Armour booking photo from an arrest earlier this month in Sedgwick County
Armour booking photo from an arrest earlier this month in Sedgwick County

SEDGWICK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred early Thursday have identified the man who died as 43-year-old Larry Armour of Wichita, according to the agency.

At around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, officers from the Wichita Police Department (WPD) initiated a vehicle pursuit near East Bayley and Schweiter Drive after they located a suspect operating a vehicle that was reported stolen at knifepoint earlier in the night.

Police on the scene of the investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH
Police on the scene of the investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH

The vehicle’s driver was identified as Armour.  The pursuit ended near East Harry St. and Green St., and Armour fled on foot.

Preliminary information indicates that then Armour entered a residence in the 2400 block of East Harry through the back entrance, while armed with a knife. A man who lived at the home who was unacquainted with Armour, was inside.

A tactical team, comprised of both officers from the WPD, deputies from the SCSO, and crisis negotiators, quickly responded to the residence. Just before 1 a.m., members of the tactical team arrived on scene. Negotiations with Armour were attempted. Just after 3 a.m., a deputy from SCSO observed Armour through a window, standing over the innocent resident threatening him with a large knife and shouting that he would kill him. The deputy fired one shot striking Armour, and ending the hostage incident.

Medical aid was administered to Armour, and EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died from his injuries. As a precaution, the resident was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was uninjured during the incident. No law enforcement officers were injured during the shooting.

Armour has a  previous felony conviction for drugs and had been on parole since 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. On January 12, Wichita police arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated robbery and flee or attempt to elude  police, according to Sedgwick County Arrest records.