A Fort Riley soldier has been killed after a standoff involving U.S. Marshals and local authorities at a hotel in Abilene.
Sgt. Kirk Evenson was reported Absent Without Leave by military authorities Tuesday. When he failed to appear for the second day of his court-martial for Rape of a Child. Evenson was tried in absentia and on Wednesday he was convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Evenson’s vehicle was later spotted outside a local hotel in Abilene. Law enforcement officials went to apprehend Evenson and after a lengthy standoff, Evenson was killed.
Fort Riley spokeswoman Lt. Col. Sophie Gainey says Evenson was shot when officers decided to enter the room and he “offered resistance.” Further details were not immediately available.
Sgt. Evenson was assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
Evenson was not in pre-trial confinement. In the military, there is no system of bail as in civilian courts and the standard for pre-trial confinement is high. A commander must be convinced that: there is probable cause the Soldier committed the crime, and the Soldier poses a flight risk or is likely to commit additional serious misconduct. All pre-trial confinement is reviewed by a military magistrate, and Evenson was not considered a flight risk because he had complied with all military rules and orders prior to fleeing/
