Man Who Killed Woman As She Ran To Police Found Dead Inside Home With Their 2-Year-Old Daughter

A man who barricaded himself inside a Kansas home after fatally shooting a woman as she exited the home was later was found dead inside with their slain toddler following a hostage situation that led to an officer-involved shooting.

Baxter Springs Police Officers were dispatched to 340 Wyandotte Avenue in Baxter Springs around 7:15 p.m. Saturday after a woman called asking for help.

When officers arrived at the location, the male suspect, identified as 37-year-old Eli Crawford answered the door but shut it as soon as he saw the officers.

Crawford’s daughter, 2-year-old Clesslyn Crawford, then reopened the door and a 27-year-old woman identified as Taylor Dawn Shutte ran outside, reports said.

Shutte was shot and killed as she exited the home, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“Crawford then stepped out and shot and killed [the woman],” the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) said. “He also began shooting at four responding officers.”

Crawford then retreated back into the home with their toddler, authorities said.

The sheriff’s office said a 3 1/2 hour “assault on law enforcement” ensued and they were assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the police SWAT team in nearby Joplin, Missouri.

“During the incident, Crawford is believed to have used several guns to fire over 90 rounds from the trailer at responding law enforcement officers. At approximately 9:25 p.m., a law enforcement officer fired one round into the camping trailer,” the KBI said.

Crawford and the child were later found dead inside the home with gunshot wounds.

“Shutte and [the two-year-old girl] were also discovered deceased from fatal gunshot wounds,” the KBI said. “No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.”

A department SWAT officer who was involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The news release did not reveal whether law enforcement shot Crawford or whether he killed himself.

The shooting is being investigated.