ELLSWORTH — Authorities have released the name of a suspect who was shot as he was being apprehended by officers from multiple law enforcement agencies in Ellsworth County, last Thursday night and Friday morning, Sept. 15-16 in Ellsworth County.
Alberto J. Garcia-Tapia 35, a sometime resident of St. John and Salina, was apprehended by the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office and transported to a hospital in Wichita where he remains in custody, Ellsworth County Attorney Joe Shepack said.
As is standard practice with officer involved shootings in Ellsworth County, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been requested to investigate and review this use of force.
Shepack, who is also Stafford County attorney, said he is very familiar with Garcia-Tapia. This is because Shepack helped with his conviction on felony flee and elude and felony DUI, aggravated failure to appear and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in, all in Stafford County.
Tapia y Garcia is also believed to have a pending felony DUI charge in Saline County District Court. He also has a felony aggravated battery conviction out of Edwards County.
On Friday, Sept. 16, a three-count complaint was filed by Shepack wherein Garcia-Tapia was charged with felony fleeing, felony aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and felony DUI. Garcia-Tapia will remain in custody in lieu of bond.