An inmate shot and killed two sheriff's deputies in broad daylight Friday while they were transporting him from a Kansas City jail to a courthouse across the street for a hearing, authorities say. One of the mortally wounded deputies managed to shoot the suspect, who remains hospitalized.
Deputy Patrick Rohrer died at a hospital on the same day. Deputy Theresa King died shortly after midnight Saturday. The two had a combined 20 years of service for the sheriff's department in Wyandotte County.
Rohrer and King had pulled into the courthouse's back parking lot shortly after 11 a.m. Friday and were taking the suspect out of a van when they were attacked, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kelli Bailiff told reporters at a news conference.
Authorities said the inmate may have taken one of the deputies' guns and shot both of them. Pictures taken by local media show the white van, its doors wide open, parked in a gated portion of the parking lot and surrounded with yellow evidence markers.
Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler did not share details about the shooting and told reporters that investigators are still speaking with witnesses. It's unclear whether there were other inmates inside the van. Authorities also have not released any information about the suspect or the extent of his injuries.
