Murder, kidnap charges filed in Newton standoff
NEWTON ? A Newton man suspected of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy and critically injuring another officer was charged Monday in Harvey County District Court with capital murder and four other counts related to this weekend’s deadly standoff.
Gregory A. Moore, 46, is facing one count of capital murder in the death of Harvey County Deputy Sheriff Kurt Ford, 38.
Moore was charged with two counts of attempted capital murder — one for allegedly shooting and injuring Hesston Police Detective Christopher Eilert and another for allegedly shooting at Harvey County investigator B.J. Tyner. Other charges include one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of criminal possession of a firearm.
Officers went to Moore’s home after a 14-year-old girl called police around 12:50 a.m. Saturday to report that her mother, Alveda Sparks, was being beaten and that the suspect had a gun.
During the ensuing standoff, law enforcement made telephone contact around 3 a.m. with Moore, who agreed to talk to officers at the door, authorities said. At that time, Sparks indicated she wanted to leave. The door slammed shut, and the officers heard her being hit.
The two officers rushed into the house and were met by gunfire. In the exchange of shots, the hostage broke free and was able to escape unharmed.
Other law enforcement officers were able to retrieve the two officers. Moore, who was not hurt, remained barricaded in the house for an additional five hours.




