Armed Barricaded Subject Taken into Custody Without Incident

For Immediate Release

Date: October 15, 2026

Contact: Lieutenant Jason Ludwig

Phone: (620) 421-7060

Email: jludwig@parsonspdks.gov

 

A potentially deadly situation ended peacefully Wednesday evening after Parsons Police Officers successfully negotiated the surrender of an armed individual who had barricaded himself inside a local sober living facility.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at approximately 5:36 p.m., Parsons Police Officers responded to 2601 Kimball Avenue, the location of A.R.C. (Addiction Recovery with Christ), a sober living and recovery home, regarding a possible criminal trespassing complaint.

Upon arrival, officers were met by residents of the facility who directed them to a bedroom occupied by 59-year-old Laughn Seltmann of Parsons. Officers learned that Seltmann had reportedly violated the facility's house rules and had been asked to leave the residence.

While officers attempted to resolve the situation, Seltmann reportedly made statements indicating that he would not leave. Moments later, Seltmann emerged with a weapon, pointed it toward his own head, and barricaded himself inside the bedroom. He later stated that he would "only leave in a body bag".

Recognizing the immediate danger to Seltmann and officers, responding officers, and other occupants of the residence, took cover, established a secure perimeter. Officers evacuated all civilians from harm's way and began negotiations in an effort to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

As negotiations continued, Parsons Police Detectives worked to obtain the necessary search warrants, while the Kansas Highway Patrol's High-Risk Warrant Team (HRWT) was contacted and responded to assist. Officers maintained communication with Seltmann throughout the incident, emphasizing de-escalation and a resolution that would preserve everyone's safety.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., after more than three hours of negotiations and police response, Seltmann voluntarily surrendered and exited the bedroom. He was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported.

Parsons Police Lieutenant Kyle Wiford emphasized the importance of patience and sound decision-making during situations involving armed individuals. "This was one of those situations where officers had to make decisions knowing that one wrong move could have resulted in someone losing their life," said Lieutenant Wiford. "Our officers recognized the seriousness of the threat, but they also understood that time was on our side. Rather than rushing into a dangerous situation, they maintained their positions, continued communicating, and gave this individual every opportunity to make the right decision. The fact that everyone walked away safely is exactly the outcome we work toward."

Following his arrest, Seltmann was transported to the Parsons Police Department for an investigative interview before being transferred to the Labette County Jail for processing.

Seltmann was arrested on suspicion of the following offenses:

• Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
• Criminal Trespass
• Interference with Law Enforcement

The case will be forwarded to the Labette County Attorney's Office for review and formal criminal charges.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks praised the professionalism of responding officers and expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Kansas Highway Patrol. "First, I want to personally thank the Kansas Highway Patrol and its High-Risk Warrant Team for their willingness to respond and provide assistance to our officers and community," said Chief Spinks. "Although their team was not ultimately required to make entry into the residence, having those specialized resources available was extremely valuable. Situations like this require cooperation, preparation, and the ability to respond quickly if circumstances change. We are fortunate to have such a strong working relationship with our state law enforcement partners."

Chief Spinks also addressed the importance of recognizing the human element involved in these dangerous encounters. "This situation could have ended very differently. We had an armed individual making statements that suggested he was prepared to die rather than surrender. Our officers were placed in a position where they had to balance their own safety, the safety of the public, and the safety of the very individual creating the threat."

"Law enforcement is often judged by how quickly we can resolve a situation, but sometimes the best police work is knowing when to slow things down. Our officers demonstrated tremendous restraint, professionalism, and compassion. They treated Mr. Seltmann with dignity and respect while never losing sight of the danger he presented. Being compassionate does not mean ignoring criminal behavior or compromising officer safety. It means recognizing that our ultimate responsibility is to protect human life whenever possible."

Chief Spinks concluded by emphasizing that the peaceful resolution was a success for everyone involved. "At the end of the day, no officer had to discharge a firearm, no family received the devastating news that a loved one had died, and our officers were able to return home safely. That is a victory for our department and our community. I am proud of the officers and investigators involved for demonstrating that patience, training, and good judgment can make the difference between life and death."

The Parsons Police Department reminds the public that situations involving armed individuals can change rapidly and present significant dangers to responding officers and nearby residents. The department remains committed to utilizing training, de-escalation techniques, and partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to resolve critical incidents as safely as possible.

This continues to be an on-going investigation, and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspdks.gov.

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