(Image courtesy Google Maps)
Updated: Thursday, 6:31 p.m.
An Ark City man died from gunshot wounds Wednesday night at the Cowley State Fishing Lake east of Ark City.
The man was identified as 37-year-old Joel Leon-Santos, according to a news release Thursday from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The KBI and the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case as a homicide.
The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate.
Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Cowley State Fishing Lake. Deputies responded to the Lake and conducted an extensive search with the reporting party in order to locate the victim.
At approximately 8 p.m., they discovered Leon-Santos, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Sheriff’ deputies and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted life-saving measures but Leon-Santos died from his injuries.
The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at: https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.
Also assisting with this case is the Winfield Police Department and the Arkansas City Police Department.
An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.
From Wednesday night:
The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed one person is dead at the Cowley State Fishing Lake east of Ark City.
Gunshots were reported in the area. The area is being blocked off as authorities investigate the scene.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is assisting.
More information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
