Editor’s note: This story talks about suicide and may be provoking for some viewers/readers.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Sedgwick County district attorney does not plan to file charges against two officers who shot and killed a suicidal man last year.
On Tuesday, District Attorney Marc Bennett released his review of the death of Bill Osterhout, who was shot and killed in Haysville on March 26, 2024.
Two days before the shooting, the 68-year-old man argued with his girlfriend. Haysville police officers were sent to investigate a possible domestic violence situation. Officers said that neither party reported physical violence. The officers filed a report.
On March 26, the girlfriend called 911 to report that Osterhout was possibly suicidal based on a string of text messages she had received from him.
The Haysville Police Department began looking for him and found him sitting in his pickup in front of the Main Street Liquor Store.
An officer began talking to him. Osterhout said he was not suicidal and did not have a gun. But another officer saw a gun between his thighs and notified the other officers on the scene.
Police asked Osterhout to give up his gun. He refused and began pointing it at his own head. The district attorney’s report includes photos from police body cameras showing Osterhout pointing the gun at himself.
The officers pleaded with him not to hurt himself. Osterhout told the officers to shoot him.
At some point, Osterhout began to turn the gun toward an officer, and two other officers opened fire. Each officer fired 11 shots. Osterhout was hit 12 times. He died at the scene.
The district attorney’s review included interviews with witnesses and the officers. The interviews were conducted by the Sedwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Police Department. The investigation also included a review of body camera footage and surveillance video.
“Mr. Osterhout yelled at the police to shoot him and ultimately directed his weapon towards Officers 1 and 3 who were at the passenger door, prompting Officer 3 and Officer 2 to fire at Mr. Osterhout, resulting in his death,” Bennett wrote in his review. “Under the totality of the circumstances, Officers 2 and 3 are clearly immune from prosecution under Kansas law.”
If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available any time of day or night. Just call 988. To learn more about the NAMI Peer-to-Peer program and other resources in our community, click here.
