DOMESTIC ALTERCATION IN PARSONS TURNS FATAL: FEMALE VICTIM SHOT AND KILLED, PERPETRATOR DIES BY SUICIDE AFTER PURSUIT AND CRASH IN GREENWOOD COUNTY
PARSONS, KANSAS — A quiet neighborhood in Parsons was rocked by a senseless act of domestic violence early Saturday morning that left a woman dead and her alleged attacker dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.
According to a detailed press release from Lt. Jason Ludwig of the Parsons Police Department, the deadly sequence of events began at approximately 1:27 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, when multiple 911 calls reported screaming and gunshots in the 1100 block of Richard Avenue.
A Night Turns Tragic
Officers with the Parsons Police Department were immediately dispatched to the scene. As they arrived, they began canvassing the area and interviewing distraught neighbors who had heard two gunshots following what sounded like a domestic argument. Soon after, officers discovered a deceased adult female in the area, fatally wounded by a gunshot. The scene bore all the tragic hallmarks of an escalating domestic violence situation turned deadly.
The victim’s juvenile son was among the key witnesses. Through his emotional account, officers learned that a violent altercation had broken out between his mother and her boyfriend, 36-year-old Steve Antone McDonald. During the dispute, McDonald struck the boy in the head, causing his mother to flee the residence in fear. As she ran down the street, McDonald gave chase and fired two shots, one of which fatally struck her.
McDonald then returned to the home, stole the victim’s car keys, and fled the area in a white 2000 Cadillac Escalade, sparking an urgent multi-county manhunt.
Pursuit Ends in Fatal Crash and Suicide
A BOLO (Be on the Lookout) alert was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies. The vehicle was soon spotted by Wilson County authorities and intercepted with assistance from Greenwood County deputies near the town of Severy. When a felony traffic stop was attempted, McDonald failed to comply, and a brief pursuit ensued.
The chase ended when McDonald’s vehicle crashed. As deputies approached the vehicle, they discovered McDonald inside, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Despite emergency aid efforts on-site, he succumbed to his injuries.
A Troubled History
Steve McDonald was originally from the Kansas City area but had recently been living in Parsons with the victim. Police confirmed that he had a prior history of domestic violence. Just two months earlier, on April 24, 2025, McDonald had been arrested on multiple felony charges, including:
- Aggravated Domestic Battery
- Aggravated Kidnapping
- Criminal Threat
- Criminal Damage to Property
- Endangering a Child
He was released on bond on May 15, 2025.
The fatal shooting raises new questions about how to better monitor and protect victims of domestic abuse when alleged perpetrators are released on bond.
A Community in Mourning
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the family, the victim’s child, and our entire community,” said Lt. Sherri McGuire, who leads the Parsons Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit. “Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that tears lives and families apart. Our Domestic Violence Unit was created to intervene, support survivors, and prevent these outcomes. We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out — there is help, and you are not alone.”
Local authorities and advocacy groups are emphasizing that this tragic loss underscores the urgent need for more awareness, intervention, and support resources for those in abusive relationships.
Resources for Help
The Parsons Police Department and its Domestic Violence Unit remain committed to preventing further tragedies and are urging anyone experiencing abuse to reach out for help. The following resources are available for those in need:
- Parsons Police Department Domestic Violence Unit: (620) 421-7060
- Safehouse Crisis Center 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-794-9148
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788
- Online: www.thehotline.org
Anyone with additional information related to this incident or any other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Parsons Police Department at (620) 421-7060, call the Tip Line at (620) 421-7057, or email [email protected].
As the community grieves the loss of a mother and faces the trauma endured by her child, this tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the vital importance of early intervention and support.
