photo by: Journal-World File

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center

A Lawrence man who was charged last year with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly shooting a man was found guilty Wednesday in Douglas County District Court of the lesser crime of aggravated battery.

Evan Gauge Heffner, 19, pleaded no contest to the reduced charge as part of a deal with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his plea, the DA’s Office dismissed multiple traffic cases and a domestic battery case against Heffner. The DA’s Office also agreed that there would be no finding that a firearm was used in the aggravated battery case, which renders it a much less serious offense for sentencing purposes.

As a factual basis for the plea, Senior Assistant District Attorney Ricardo Leal gave a bare-bones account, stating only that on May 10, 2023, Heffner caused great bodily harm or disfigurement to a man.

The Journal-World previously reported that Lawrence police arrested Heffner in connection with a shooting on May 10 at the Motel 6 at 1130 N. Third St. Officers responded to the motel just before 10:30 p.m, but they learned that no gunshot victim was at the scene. About 10 minutes later, police were advised that a man with a gunshot wound had arrived at the hospital emergency room. The man had been struck by gunfire in the shoulder and was able to provide some information about the incident.

Whether Heffner faces probation or prison will depend on the results of a presentence report. Judge Stacey Donovan scheduled Heffner to be sentenced on Oct. 15.