Great Bend Police have two suspects in custody in connection with a shooting in the west part of Great Bend Tuesday night.

Further details regarding the apprehension of the suspects will be released at a later time.

The search for the suspects began, according to a Great Bend Police Department release, at approximately 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, when GBPD officers were dispatched to the 5600 block of 10th St. in reference to a shooting, Upon arrival, officers located Richard Fletcher Jr., age 23, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Fletcher Jr. was transported to The University of Kansas Health Systems-Great Bend Campus, and later flown to Wichita with critical injuries at the time of this release.  

Based on information obtained through their investigation, GBPD identified two persons of interest in the case, Ismael Montelongo, a 20 year old hispanic male, and Noah Holden, a 19 year old white male.  

Montelongo and Holden were last seen following the shooting driving westbound from the intersection of 10th St. and Patton Rd. in a tan 2003 GMC Yukon bearing KS handicapped tag 72583. Montelongo and Holden were being sought on charges of attempted 2nd degree murder, endangerment, criminal carrying of a weapon, and interference with law enforcement.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Great Bend Fire & EMS departments assisted GBPD in the case.

This case is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding this crime, or any other crime, please contact the Great Bend Police Dept at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.