• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

Wichita Police say three other people were threatened as a man fired a shot at a security guard at Burlington Coat Factory on Monday.

"We had, besides the security guard, three other people who we felt were direct victims of this crime, that he pointed a gun at or were in direct jeopardy of their lives," said Deputy Chief Tom Stolz. "He had enough rounds in that gun that he could have shot more. He had victims there.

"I can't speculate on what his motive is, but from the way this call came in on the radio yesterday to the way it was resolved - I don't know if we were lucky, skilled or a combination of both, but it wasn't a bad day."

The disturbance began when the security guard at the Burlington Coat Factory near Kellogg and Rock Road confronted the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Jake Jacobs, about a soda he had took and drank without paying. 

"The security guard asked him if he intended to pay for that, and the suspect replied in the negative," Stolz said. "The security guard advised him that he'd have to pay for the soda, which is the point where the suspect brought the gun out and fired at the security guard."

Stolz said customers and the guard, who was not struck by the bullet, fled to the back of the store. The call was placed to police at 10:32 a.m., and within three minutes, three officers and two supervisors had mobilized in front of the store and entered.

"They heard noises by the dressing area, which is on the north side of the store. A male was seen in that area that matched the basic description they were given at the time of the dispatched call," Stolz said. "They immediately converged on this suspect, gave numerous verbal directives - none of which the suspect complied with. One of the officers was able to utilize a Taser, and tase the individual for one cycle."

Jacobs continued to struggle with police after being tased, but was later apprehended. Stolz said five or six rounds were still in the revolver.

Jacobs had one previous arrest on his record - a DUI and weapon charge on Feb. 13. 

Stolz said a motive is not known. Police did search Jacobs' vehicle and residence. Jacobs was described in calls to police as "disheveled," either mentally or physically. 

Stolz said that because of recent tragedies in places such as Wisconsin and Colorado, "officers have a heightened sense of importance of these calls." Because Jacobs did not show his weapon toward officers, they were able to subdue him without stronger weapons.

"There is a level of force that police officers are allowed to use, and we pay officers to win situations - we don't pay them to lose or tie," Stolz said. "They go in and they know they have to win a situation."

It is unclear why Jacobs entered the store to begin with, Stolz said. Formal charges are expected Wednesday.