Search fatalities

Cheryl R. Gaines

Gender : Female

Age : 54

Race : Unknown

Date : 04/09/2024

Location : U.S. Highway 160

City : Attica

County : Harper

State : Kansas

Agency : Harper County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police under undisclosed circumstances

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On April 9, 2024, at approximately 6:55 a.m., a motorist reported a vehicle stopped in the westbound lane of U.S. Highway 160, about one mile west of Attica, Kansas. A Harper County Sheriff's deputy arrived and found a tan 2006 Toyota Prius halted in the middle of the highway. Approaching to offer assistance, the deputy observed the driver, 54-year-old Cheryl R. Gaines of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, holding a knife in one hand and scissors in the other.
.
An officer from the Attica Police Department soon joined the deputy. Both officers retreated approximately 100 yards from the vehicle and repeatedly commanded Gaines to drop her weapons and exit the car. Gaines exited the vehicle but refused to relinquish the knife and scissors. She then charged at the officers. As they retreated, the Attica officer tripped and fell. Gaines approached the fallen officer, still armed, prompting the Harper County deputy to fire three shots, striking her.
.
Emergency Medical Services pronounced Gaines deceased at the location around 7:15 a.m.
.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is conducting a thorough and independent investigation, with findings to be presented to the Harper County Attorney for review.
.
TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS INCIDENT: 1 fatality (Cheryl R. Gaines)
.
Last Update: December 8, 2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/docs/media%20releases/2024/Media%20Release%20-%20Officer-involved%20shooting%20in%20Harper%20County.pdf
https://hayspost.com/posts/fbcb8937-0ca1-4fef-b74f-4be8aa0be71d
https://www.ksn.com/news/local/officer-involved-shooting-reported-in-harper-county/
https://www.kfdi.com/2024/04/09/woman-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-harper-county/
https://apnews.com/article/kansas-police-shooting-knife-scissors-86b166fb6b8fe00a8f7a12995e277fa5