KBI working officer involved shooting in Salina Wednesday

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is working a case where officers shot and killed a man in Salina Wednesday.

Salina Police asked for the KBI’s help around 12:15 p.m. after an incident that began around 11:30 a.m.

911 was called by a resident of 2092 Harold Avenue in Salina. The person on the phone told police they thought someone was injured or dead inside the home.

When officers from the Salina Police Department arrived at the residence, they observed what they believed to be blood on the porch. They entered the residence and attempted to clear the house. On the first floor of the home, police discovered 71-year-old Linda Kromer who had been stabbed to death.

Officers heard noises from the basement and proceeded downstairs. They located a male subject, later identified as 28-year-old Jeremy Connolly in a basement bedroom where he had barricaded the door with objects.

Officers could open the door partially, and saw that Connolly was armed with a large knife. Pepper spray was deployed into the room, and repeated commands were given for him to drop the knife.
Connolly advanced toward the officers while still holding the knife. Two officers from the Salina Police Department fired at him, striking Connolly.

At the time of the shooting, five officers were in the basement. No officers were injured. EMS responded and Connolly was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. EMS pronounced Kromer deceased at the scene. Connolly was Kromer’s step-grandson.

Connolly lived at the residence where the shooting took place, and Kromer lived next door.

The investigation is ongoing.