Police recover gear taken from trooper’s car

A call to the Crime Stoppers tips line led police to a juvenile suspected of breaking into a Kansas Highway Patrol car.

Trooper Al Ackerman, 44, reported someone broke into his patrol car between June 13 and June 16 while it was parked in the 1700 block of East 30th Street.

Detectives with the Lawrence Police Department, following a lead the tipster provided, located a 17-year-old suspect in the case.

Detectives recovered the trooper’s rifle, flashlight and hat, which had a trooper’s badge attached to it, at a home in the 2700 block of Bonanza Street.

Police also recovered what they suspect to be other stolen items from unrelated cases.

The 17-year-old man was not arrested but was left in the custody of his parents.

Guns

13-year-old hospitalized after accidental shooting

Liberal — A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized in stable condition Thursday after apparently being shot accidentally by an 8-year-old friend, authorities said.

The Seward County Sheriff’s Department said the two boys were shooting rifles Wednesday afternoon outside a residence east of Liberal when one of the guns, a 22-caliber rifle, apparently went off in the 8-year-old boy’s hands. The 13-year-old was stuck in the abdomen, authorities said.

The victim was taken to Via Christi-St. Francis hospital in Wichita.

Authorities on Thursday continued to investigate, but said the shooting appeared to be accidental.

The names of the boys were not released.

Education

University names new ombudsman

A Kansas University business professor will take over as university ombudsman beginning July 1, university officials announced Thursday.

Douglas Whitman will replace Robert Shelton, associate professor of religious studies, who served in the post 18 years. Shelton is stepping down to devote more time to teaching.

Whitman, who has been at KU since 1975, has taught classes in conflict resolution and negotiations, and has served as a member of the Campus Dispute Assistance Service.

The ombudsman facilitates communication when conflict arises among students, faculty, administrators and service offices at the university; listens to concerns and conducts investigations when appropriate; and serves as a consultant on conflict resolution.

The ombudsman’s office will be moving from Smith Hall to rooms 28 and 34 in Carruth-O’Leary Hall. The former administrative assistant in the office, Kellie Harmon, will become assistant ombudsman.