Lansing, Kan. —
Authorities believe an estranged relationship may have been a factor that led to Wednesday night’s murder-suicide west of Lansing, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.
The incident was reported about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at a residence at 25016 164th St.
The suspect, who’s been identified as Kenneth McClellan, 32, Leavenworth, reportedly forced his way into the residence with a 9 mm handgun and shot, John J. O’Brien Jr., 66. O’Brien died at the scene, according to Maj. Ron Cranor, Leavenworth County undersheriff.
O’Brien’s 57-year-old wife and their 39-year-old daughter also were in the home at the time.
Cranor said McClellan and O’Brien’s daughter apparently were in a relationship that started about four years ago, but they later became estranged.
The daughter apparently was struck in the mouth with the McClellan’s gun.
“She thought he was going to kill her,” Cranor said.
The woman was able to escape the residence and run to a neighbor’s house.
O’Brien’s wife was able to make it out of the house and onto a wooden deck.
McClellan went onto a patio that was beneath the wooden deck and apparently shot himself. He also died at the scene.
Deputies did not know the suspect was dead when they arrived and initially made a cautious approach to the house.
“We may not ever know truly what his reasoning was,” Cranor said.
The daughter was treated for injury at Saint John Hospital and released later that night.
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