At approximately 7:14 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022, Baxter Springs Police Officers were dispatched to 340 Wyandotte Avenue in Baxter Springs.

The female caller told dispatch she needed help.  Upon the arrival of officers, the woman exited the home and a male suspect, identified as 37-year-old Eli Crawford, shot and killed 27-year-old Taylor Dawn Shutte.

The suspect then retreated back inside with their 2-year-old child, Clesslyn Crawford.

At that point law enforcement personnel with the Baxter Springs Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office began taking fire from the suspect.

As the suspect continued to shoot at law enforcement, additional assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Joplin SWAT Team was requested. 

During the nearly 3 and a half hour assault on law enforcement, an officer was able to return fire towards the suspect.

When officers approached the residence, Crawford and the child were deceased inside.

Per standard agency protocol, the law enforcement officer who engaged the suspect has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.