Two Great Bend men were taken to jail early Sunday after shots were fired at 1318 Macarthur Road. Dennis Morrison was initially booked on a charge of attempted first-degree murder and Jacob Keenan was booked on charges of aggravated burglary and criminal threat, although further investigation led to lesser charges for both men.
A white, 2002 Ford Taurus with six bullet holes in the front and two in the back was impounded within an hour of the altercation.
Police Chief Dean Akings said three people called 911 around 12:30 a.m. Sunday and reported up to nine shots had been fired in the area. Officers learned that Morrison, who lives at 1318 Macarthur Road, had fired a handgun at the car Keenan was driving.
Authorities believe Keenan drove to the house because, earlier that night, Morrison had kicked a woman out of his house. “He came back to basically settle the score,” Akings said. Keenan tried to get in and kicked open the door, which hit Morrison and a small child inside. There was no aggravated burglary because Keenan didn’t actually enter the house.
The altercation continued outside, and as Keenan returned to his car and drove away, Morrison grabbed a gun and fired.
Viewing the eight bullet holes or indentations which appear to corroborate witness accounts, Akings commented he was surprised no one was hit. Bullets struck the front bumper and passenger side fender, then three holes in the hood approach the unscathed windshield. There were also bullet holes in the rear bumper and license plate.
A Barton County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Officer who was just coming off duty located the car, which Keenan was driving, in the 1900 block of 18th St. around 1:20 a.m., Akings said. A woman inside the car was not arrested.
Detective David Bailey on Monday said the case was still under investigation. The book-in charges represented the most serious charges that were likely to be filed. Later in the afternoon, the Barton County Attorney’s Office advised him that Morrison will be charged with attempted voluntary manslaughter, two counts of criminal discharge (of a firearm) at an occupied vehicle, two counts of battery, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. Keenan’s charges will be two counts of battery, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.
Morrison and Keean were both still in custody of the Barton County Jail in lieu of bond as of Monday evening.
Akings asked anyone who saw or heard anything related to this case to call the GBPD, 793-4120.