Father shoots 7-year-old in murder-suicide in Parsons

Another man was also shot

Stacie Strader by Stacie Strader

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A father shot and killed his daughter and himself in a murder-suicide in Parsons, Kansas. Authorities say the father is also suspected of shooting another man.

Around 10:42 pm on Sunday, the Parsons Police Department got a report about possible shots fired in the 1700 block of Chess.

Police say the suspect was quickly identified as Zachary Castorena of Parsons. Authorities say he had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.

Police found Joshua Bode in the 1700 block of Chess with two gunshot wounds to his face. EMS took Bode to a hospital, and he was then flown to KU Medical Center. The last update that law enforcement had is that he was still in critical condition.

As officers were searching for Castorena, a call was received by the Parsons Dispatch Center from Castorena at 10:49 PM. The suspect was threatening suicide and stated that he would also kill his daughter.

Authorities say it was believed that the daughter was possibly with the suspect who had barricaded himself inside his residence in the 3100 Block of Corning Ave. Shortly after 10:50 PM, Officers established a perimeter and attempted to negotiate with the suspect via loudspeaker.

Fearing for the young child’s safety, Police say two officers made an emergency entry into the house and found that the suspect had already shot his 7-year-old daughter in the head and that he had also shot himself.

An officer picked up the critically wounded child and made an emergency transport to the Labette Health Emergency Department. The child was life flighted to Springfield, MO. She died due to her wounds at 3:18 AM this morning.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Labette Mental Health and Police Chaplain Steve Schultze responded to provide support. Crisis Counselors are being organized by Mental Health for the Schools this morning.

This continues to be an ongoing investigation. Authorities have not released information on the relationship between Castorena and Bode.

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