HUTCHINSON, KS — A Hutchinson man accused of firing at a police officer near Porter Commons Apartments has been formally charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer and several other offenses. Jesse Taylor, 49, made his first court appearance Oct. 1, and no next hearing date has been set.
Police said the incident began late on Sept. 22 when an officer found Taylor near a parked patrol vehicle in the 1400 block of East 11th Ave. According to investigators, Taylor had blood on him, told the officer he had a firearm and showed it. The encounter quickly turned into a foot chase and, shortly after, gunfire in the apartment complex parking lot.
Police say encounter started in a parked patrol vehicle area
According to the Hutchinson Police Department, the first contact happened around 8:48 p.m. as Taylor approached an officer sitting inside a parked patrol vehicle. Police said Taylor then moved toward Porter Commons Apartments at 1415 Katie Drive after the officer gave commands.
The officer followed on foot, while a second officer arrived to help. The department said the situation escalated rapidly from a contact call to an active search in the apartment complex area. Officers have not publicly said what led Taylor to approach police in the first place, but the report indicates he was visibly injured and carrying a firearm before running from officers.
Second officer says Taylor fired during commands
Police said the second officer found Taylor in the parking lot at the apartment complex and began giving verbal commands. At that point, according to investigators, Taylor fired a handgun at the officer. The bullet struck an unoccupied vehicle nearby, but no officer or civilian was injured.
The officer moved to cover as Taylor retreated from the area. Police later found Taylor and took him into custody. Investigators said he was unarmed when arrested, though a firearm and a knife were recovered nearby. The shooting led to a wide range of charges tied to the confrontation, the weapon, and the damage left behind.
Court filing includes attempted capital murder and assault counts
Taylor is charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, and two felony counts of interference with a law enforcement officer by obstructing, resisting or opposing. He also faces a criminal damage to property count involving damage valued between $1,000 and $25,000.
Those charges reflect both the alleged gunfire and the officers’ efforts to detain him. Prosecutors have not publicly outlined evidence beyond the police account described in the charging documents. Taylor appeared in court for the first time on Oct. 1, and the case had not been set for a follow-up hearing as of that date.
Search warrant at residence turned up dead dog
After Taylor’s arrest, officers executed a search warrant at his residence. Police said they found a dead dog with lacerations and apparent gunshot wounds. That discovery led to a cruelty to animals charge involving malicious torture or killing.
The animal-welfare allegation is separate from the officer-shooting accusations, but it adds another serious layer to the case. Authorities have not said in court filings made public what connection, if any, the dog had to the earlier confrontation. The criminal complaint links the charge to what officers say they found at the home after the arrest.
Unlawful discharge charge centers on city limits shooting
In addition to the attempted murder and assault allegations, Taylor is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm within city limits. That count stems from the gunfire police say occurred in the apartment complex parking lot during the encounter.
The damage to the nearby vehicle was listed as part of the case, along with the allegation that Taylor resisted and obstructed officers as they tried to take him into custody. Police said the events unfolded within minutes, beginning with the initial approach near East 11th Avenue and ending with Taylor’s arrest after officers located him nearby. No one was reported injured, but the incident left a damaged car and a broad criminal case now moving through Reno County court.
Taylor remains presumed innocent as case moves forward
The charges against Taylor are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. For now, the case remains in its early stages, with only the first appearance completed and no future hearing date announced.
Even so, the file already includes a serious list of accusations tied to the same night: a confrontation with police, a handgun fired at an officer, damage to property, and the later discovery of a dead dog at his residence. Court records and police statements will determine how prosecutors present those events and what evidence will be tested as the case moves ahead.
When the weather turns dangerous, SVH Snow is watching.
