A man, a woman, and a child are dead after a weekend standoff and shootout in Baxter Springs.

On Saturday, Baxter Springs Police Officers were dispatched to 340 Wyandotte Avenue in Baxter Springs. The female caller told dispatch she needed help. Upon the arrival of officers, the woman exited the home and a male suspect, identified as 37-year-old Eli Crawford, shot and killed 27-year-old Taylor Dawn Shutte. Crawford then retreated back inside with their 2-year-old child.

At that point, law enforcement personnel began taking fire from the suspect. During the nearly three and a half-hour assault on law enforcement, an officer was able to return fire toward the suspect. When officers approached and entered the residence, Crawford and the child were found dead.

Per standard agency protocol, the law enforcement officer who engaged the suspect has been placed on paid administrative leave. The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.