Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office Pursuing Death Penalty Against Alleged Shooter of Deputy

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan. — The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office announced it will pursue the death penalty against the suspected shooter of Deputy Elijah Ming upon conviction.

The district attorney's office officially filed a capital murder charge in connection with the death of Deputy Elijah Ming on July 26.

District Attorney Mark Dupree formally announced at a news conference last week that Shawn Harris was charged with capital murder and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon.

At that time, Dupree noted that he had 10 days to determine whether he would pursue the death penalty against Harris.

Now, Dupree’s office announced the state of Kansas would request upon conviction "a separate sentencing to determine if the defendant should be sentenced to death," meaning Harris faces the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted of capital murder.

Harris is accused of shooting Ming after authorities were called to the 2600 block of S. 30th Street in response to a domestic violence call.

When law enforcement arrived on the scene, Ming was shot by the suspect, who was later identified by the KBI as Harris.

Harris barricaded himself inside the home for nearly two hours before surrendering.

He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

While there have been several executions in recent years on the Missouri side, Kansas has not executed anyone since 1965.

That includes Antoine Fielder, who pleaded guilty in December 2024 to killing two Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

He received the maximum sentences in March 2025.

Local attorney discusses death penalty decision

"This decision is not one that you take lightly,” Dupree said last week.

“I am not surprised that Mark Dupree is seeking the death penalty in this case,” said James Spies, a criminal defense attorney with no involvement in the case.

Spies points to Harris’ extensive criminal history as one reason.

Court records show Harris has previous felony convictions, including for assault.

Anderson County, Kansas court records show Harris was accused of felony abuse of a child in May 2024.

The two children Harris was accused of “knowingly beating, striking, or kicking” were about 6 and 4 years old at the time.

A felony conviction on that charge carries a minimum of 31 months in prison.

However, that charge was dropped and Harris pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor battery charges.

Now, Harris is charged with capital murder and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“You can mark my words that this case will be negotiated into a life without parole sentence,” Spies said.

One reason Spies said a death sentence is unlikely for Harris is how long it takes to get it.

He said it can be years or even decades before a death penalty case makes its way through the court system.

And Spies also said there’s no guarantee a jury will give a death sentence.