JOPLIN, Mo. — A 28-year-old man from Arkansas was found dead after exchanging gunfire with sheriff's deputies in southwest Missouri.
Jasper County authorities say Kenneth Ashburn, of Bella Vista, died Thursday afternoon about a mile east of the Missouri Southern State University campus in Joplin.
The sheriff's office said it's unclear if Ashburn died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound or if he was killed by deputies. An autopsy is planned for next week.
The Joplin Globe reports Deputy Justin Henry, a seven-year veteran, was discharged from the hospital Thursday night after being shot in the leg.
Henry and three other deputies were investigating a stolen vehicle on the property when they exchanged gunfire with Ashburn, who was later found dead inside a shed.
Sheriff Randee Kaiser said Ashburn had a warrant for aggravated assault in Cherokee County, Kan.