KCK man pleads no contest in November shootout with Leavenworth County deputies
A Kansas City, Kansas, man who engaged in a shootout with Leavenworth County sheriff’s deputies during a pursuit in November has pleaded no contest to two criminal counts.
Andrew Amundsen, 33, was convicted Wednesday of attempted capital murder and one count of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, an emailed news release from the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office said.
A no contest plea means the defendant neither admits nor denies charges against them, but still accepts the court’s conviction and sentencing as if they are guilty.
“The reckless attempt to flee caused chaos, violence and danger to the community,” said Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson in the release sent Thursday afternoon. “This conviction ensures accountability for every moment of that escalation. We’re thankful no one suffered any serious physical injuries.”
On Nov. 21, Leavenworth County sheriff’s deputies were looking for Amundsen. After locating him near Dempsey Road, they attempted to pull him over. At that point, Amundsen accelerated and fled the scene.
“During the pursuit, Amundsen reached out of the front passenger window and fired 16 rounds at a deputy,” the news release said.
Another deputy took over the pursuit and Amundsen entered a residential neighborhood. There, authorities say, he struck a vehicle with two people inside. They were not injured.
Amundsen got out of the vehicle, according to the release, and “fired two additional rounds at another deputy.”
“One bullet struck the deputy’s vehicle before Amundsen ran out of ammunition,” it said.
He then ran off and hid in the bed of a pickup truck. Law enforcement officers eventually captured him.
Amundsen is scheduled to be sentenced in a hearing June 5.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee contributed to this report.
