The man who fired shots near a NW Kan. middle school had an AR rifle

PHILIPLIPS COUNTY — A man is in custody after allegedly firing a gun near a Phillipsburg middle school.

Just before 8am. The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a shooting south of Phillipsburg Middle School, according to a sheriff’s report posted on social media.

A deputy patrolling the Phillipsburg school grounds soon arrived. The deputy began shouting orders and the man dropped both weapons and placed them on the ground. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Morgan William Thieben, lives in an apartment in the 500 block of 7th Street.

Eyewitness accounts indicate he fired two shots into the air with a 9 mm handgun, but he also had an AR rifle with him, according to the sheriff’s office.

Thieben was subsequently arrested on the requested charges: criminal menacing, aggravated assault and illegal discharge of a firearm within city limits.

He had one full pistol magazine, and the magazine and chamber of the rifle were empty. A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s apartment. During the search, only one 9 mm bullet was found in the apartment. There was no evidence to establish a motive or plan of action.

Thieben is currently in the Phillips County Jail undergoing a mental evaluation. There were many people in the area who helped keep children safe at a nearby school, as well as others who tried to control the situation.

Sheriff Kyle Pinkerton said, “We should all be proud of our community’s response, it was quick and everyone’s priority was the safety of our children, as well as the deputies who responded and directly ran to the threat and ended it.”

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PHILIPLIPS COUNTY – Law enforcement is investigating a shooting near Phillipsburg Middle School.

Just before 8am. On Thursday, sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the 500 block of 7th Street, according to a report from the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office says the shots were not directed at the nearby school. Phillipsburg High School is located at 647 7th Street.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Morgan William Thieben, is in custody, according to online jail records. He is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault, unlawful use of a firearm and criminal threats; cause terror, evacuation or disruption. No injuries were reported.