Two people were hospitalized and two were arrested as the result of unrelated shootings Friday and Saturday, one in rural Barton County and one in Great Bend.
Sara Tutak, Great Bend, remained in critical condition Monday afternoon at Via Christi Medical Center’s St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, according to a hospital spokesman.
Dustin Turner, rural Great Bend, was admitted to the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus Friday night. A hospital spokesman said he has since been released.
Friday night
Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 9:26 p.m. Friday to 451 NW 40 Ave. to a reported gunshot wound. Upon arrival officers identified Dustin Turner, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the left leg, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.
According to reports, Turner was transported to the Great Bend hospital by Great Bend Fire Department ambulance. He was admitted to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies were able to quickly develop a suspect after interviewing several individuals, Bellendir reported. Authorities identified Kenneth Birt Jr.
Birt was located in the 1000 block of Jackson Street in the Great Bend and placed under arrest. Birt was booked on charges of attempted murder and is being held in the Barton County Detention Center in lieu of a $1 million bond.
Saturday morning
Officers from the Great Bend Police Department were dispatched at 4:56 a.m. Saturday to the 5900 block of Hemlock Drive in reference to a shooting. Upon officers arrival, they located a 33-year-old female with a gunshot wound, Chief David Bailey said.
According to reports, also located at the scene was the victim’s husband, Troy Tutak, 36. After questioning about the incident, Troy Tutak was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery, and booked in lieu of $75,000 bond.
Sara Tutek was transported to KU Med Great Bend Campus, and later flown to Wichita with critical injuries.
Both cases are still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding these crimes or any other crime may contact the GBPD, 620-793-4120; BCSO, 620-793-1876; or Crime Stoppers, 620-792-1300.
