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Teen pleads no contest to shooting at Olathe officer in 2019 incident

Olathe Shooting
Posted at 5:09 PM, Feb 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-18 19:21:58-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A teenager who shot at an Olathe police officer in 2019 pleaded no contest Thursday and will serve more than 35 years in jail , the Johnson County District Attorney announced.

Christian Batson, 17, who was charged as an adult, reached an agreement on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, burglary of a dwelling, criminal threat, battery on a juvenile corrections officer and burglary of a dwelling for a firearm.

Olathe officers responded to a burglary call near on Nov. 24, 2019, near East Cedar Street and Clairborne Road.

Shortly after, officers spotted Batson and another teen, Deven Mann, who fled on foot multiple times from officers.

At one point, Batson tossed a bag of marijuana, which was later recovered, before he opened fire at one of the officers.

The officer returned fire but no one was hit in the exchange. Batson then entered a patrol car, which prompted one of the officers to shoot at him again because there was a patrol rifle in "close proximity."

Batson was injured while exchanging gunfire with the officer, which District Attorney Steve Howe ruled was justified.

He will be formally sentenced on April 15.

The second officer fired one round at Mann, who also was armed but did not fire at officers. Mann also faces charges as an adult and his case remains pending, according to Howe's office.

Editor's note: The original version of this story listed Batson's age incorrectly. He is 17.

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