A man who was shot and killed by officers in Barton County Saturday night allegedly initiated the gunfire by firing first.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, on Saturday August 30th at around 6:40 P.M. the Barton County Sheriff’s Office along with Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the 500 block of Northwest 190th Road in rural Barton County on the report of a domestic disturbance involving an armed subject. Dispatchers were told during the 911 call that a male subject had fired a gun during the domestic incident.

Upon arrival deputies and troopers were approached by a male subject later identified as 71-year-old George Carson of rural Barton County, who was holding a handgun. Deputies began instructing Carson to put the handgun down, but instead Carson pointed the handgun at law enforcement and fired a round at them.

Law enforcement returned fire at Carson who was struck and taken into custody. Medical personnel were on scene at the time of the shooting and transported Carson to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was asked to lead the investigation and responded with agents and the Bureau’s Crime Scene Response team.

No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident. A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper and a deputy with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office were both placed on administrative leave as is customary during officer involved shootings.