Hutchinson woman killed in shooting; suspect dead after Pratt County pursuit
Information obtained from Hutchinson Police Department
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson woman is dead following a shooting Friday evening, and the suspect identified in the case died Saturday morning after a vehicle pursuit ended with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Pratt County.
Officers with the Hutchinson Police Department responded at approximately 8:19 p.m. Friday to the 800 block of West 4th Avenue on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Lacy D. Nelson, 37, of Hutchinson, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid until Reno County EMS arrived and transported Nelson by ambulance to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators identified Curtis E. Richardson, 49, of Hutchinson, as a person of interest. A statewide be-on-the-lookout alert was issued for Richardson at 9:17 p.m. Friday.
At approximately 7 a.m. Saturday, the Pratt County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Preston in reference to a reported robbery. A victim reported that a male forced entry into her residence and took her vehicle without permission.
A Pratt County Sheriff's Office deputy located the reported stolen vehicle traveling southbound on K-61 Highway in Pratt County. The driver, later identified as Richardson, refused to stop when the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, prompting a vehicle pursuit. The stolen vehicle left the roadway and became stuck in a field near NE 30th Avenue and NE 20th Street in Pratt County.
The Pratt County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team responded to the scene. Richardson refused to exit the vehicle despite multiple commands and continued negotiation efforts. Less-lethal tactics were deployed in an effort to gain compliance. Richardson was subsequently found inside the vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pratt County EMS initiated lifesaving measures and transported him to Pratt Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
The investigation remains active. Authorities say there are no additional persons of interest at this time.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, a local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted through the P3Tips app or by texting RENOKS to 738477. Please reference case number 2026-7756.