Hesston shootings

On February 25, 2016, three people were killed and fourteen others injured in a series of shootings in Newton and Hesston, Kansas, including in and outside an Excel Industries building.

[6] Ford then arrived at Excel Industries, a manufacturer of lawnmowers, in Hesston, injured an elderly woman in the parking lot, went inside the building, and fired randomly at the assembly lines, shooting several employees.

[24] According to court documents, Hopkins had police assist her in retrieving the firearms after she broke up with Ford, but later gave them back to him after he allegedly threatened her.

[25] Hopkins pleaded guilty to not alerting authorities that a convicted felon unlawfully possessed firearms and was sentenced to a year on supervised release.

A Newton Police Department spokesman later stated that no such standoff had occurred, and that SWAT officers were securing the house as a precaution while a search warrant was obtained.

[29][30] U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone to Hesston Mayor David Kauffman to give his condolences to the victims and his thanks to the first responders.

[16] Brownback later lauded the response of police officers during the shootings, and expressed his pride towards the law enforcement community of Hesston.

[31] Paul Mullet, the president and chief executive officer of Excel Industries, said in a statement, "We're really saddened by this horrific event.

"[32] On March 1, State Senator Forrest Knox questioned the effectiveness of a Kansas law that allowed private businesses to restrict firearms on their property.

During the event, Chief Doug Schroeder, the first responding officer who engaged Ford in a gunfight and killed him, was awarded a Medal of Valor for his heroic actions.