Hoisington man surrenders after standoff

Suspect threatens suicide, faces drug charges

By DALE HOGG

HOISINGTON — After a tense, two-hour standoff in which authorities resorted to launching tear gas, a 56-year-old Hoisington man emerged from a smoke-filled trailer and surrendered to law enforcement Monday evening.

Michael Whithorn was taken into custody by the Hoisington Police Department, evaluated and transported to Larned State Hospital, since during the encounter he had threatened to kill himself. Drug-related and other possible charges are pending.

According to a Hoisington Police Police Chief Kenton Doze, search warrants were executed Monday night at Boxberger Automotive, 167 West First St., the site of the trailer. Authorities found a suspected methamphetamine lab.

At 5:40 p.m., officers from the HPD and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office were at the property following up on a report of drug-related activity, an HPD news release said. It was reported the individual who lived in the camper inside the business was selling drugs.

Authorities gained permission from the owner of the property, Lavern Boxberger, to bring a drug-sniffing dog to the business to run around the trailer. The occupant had permission to live at the site, but Doze stressed the property owner is not involved in the case.

The dog indicated to his handler, HPD Capt. Josh Nickerson, that narcotics might be present.

Nickerson then tried to make contact with the occupant, the release continued. When he attempted to open the door, Whithorn said he had a fully automatic weapon and had it pointed at himself.

At that point, HPD called out for assistance and more units to secure the scene. Involved were the HPD, BCSO and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

After two hours of negotiations, members of the BCSO Entry Team fired the tear gas. A few minutes later, Whithorn came out and surrendered.