On Saturday morning in rural Osage County, Kansas, a routine domestic disturbance call escalated into a chaotic and tragic confrontation: four law enforcement officers were wounded and a 22-year-old man, later identified as Stephen M. McMillan, was killed in the ensuing gunfire.
Authorities say the incident began around 10:24 a.m. when deputies from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, along with Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) troopers, responded to a distress call at a residence on South Topeka Avenue near Carbondale. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, less than ten minutes after arriving, shots rang out.
McMillan was standing outside the home when the officers confronted him. What followed was a fierce exchange of gunfire: three Osage County deputies and one KHP trooper fired at him, while McMillan also returned fire.
McMillan was struck during the shootout and was pronounced dead at the scene. In addition to him, a 77-year-old man who lived in the home — later described as McMillan’s grandfather — was also wounded. He survived and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
The four officers were also seriously hurt, though thankfully their injuries are not life-threatening. Two of the deputies required surgery at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka, and both are reported to be recovering well. The third deputy was released from the hospital, and the trooper was transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center for further care.
Because of the gravity of the situation, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has taken over the case. They’re treating it as an “independent investigation” to determine exactly how events unfolded — what led up to the shooting, who shot first, and why things escalated so quickly. As of now, KBI officials stress that the publicly available information is preliminary; full findings will depend on a careful review of evidence and interviews, and could take several weeks.
There’s a sense of shock and sadness in the Carbondale area. Neighbors say McMillan and his family were well known and generally considered “good, quiet people.” One couple who lives nearby recalled McMillan as respectful and kind, saying they didn’t see any warning signs that things would turn so violent.
At a news conference, KHP Superintendent Erik Smith summed up the heartbreak: “After being on scene less than 10 minutes, gunfire erupted,” he said. For now, the community is praying for the injured officers, hoping for healing, and waiting for answers from the ongoing investigation.
