UPDATE: According to the Kansas Highway Patrol: After several hours of attempted communication with Thille, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team approached the house. Gunfire was exchanged and Thille was wounded before being taken into custody.  Thille was transported by ambulance for treatment and the incident scene has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. No officers were injured during the pursuit or gunfire.

 

UPDATE: According to KSN Wichita: At around 7:40 p.m. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team entered the home and used a flash bang to try to get the suspect to surrender.  Crews on the scene tell us shots were fired.

Then at 8:15 p.m. an ambulance left the home.

Shortly before 11am, on March 21, 2011, an incident occurred at the Jewell County Courthouse which caused area law enforcement officers to start looking for Matthew D. Thille, 20 yoa, from Downs, KS.

A short time later, a Mitchell County Deputy spotted Thille traveling westbound on US-24 at which point a chase ensued.  The suspect lead law enforcement to his residence in Downs and has fired shots at Law Enforcement in the area.

Currently, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team is attempting to open lines of communication with the suspect.