Serine
Kansas authorities have revealed that the man responsible for the fatal shooting of Deputy Brandon Gaede was found to have more than 33 pounds of explosive materials and over 20 firearms in his home.
The discovery was made following a deadly exchange of gunfire in Phillipsburg, located roughly 20 miles from the Nebraska border.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office released new information on Thursday, detailing the timeline of events leading to the tragedy and the subsequent findings from the investigation.
Initial Reports of Explosions in Phillipsburg
The incident began around 6 p.m. on Sunday, when the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a loud explosion in Phillipsburg.
The deputy who initially investigated couldn’t identify a source and suspected fireworks as the cause.
However, over the next 90 minutes, the sheriff’s office received three more calls regarding similar explosive sounds in the same area.
Deputy Brandon Gaede returned to investigate and spoke with Kolton Griffith, who denied involvement. Although Gaede discontinued his inquiry shortly after, he remained nearby and reviewed Kansas laws related to explosives.
Fatal Shooting During Follow-Up
At approximately 9:20 p.m., another explosion report came in. Gaede, still in the area, observed smoke and saw Griffith standing in his front yard.
Authorities said Griffith admitted to setting off an explosive device, claiming he intended to provoke a neighbor who had complained earlier.
When Gaede attempted to arrest him, Griffith resisted and drew a revolver from his waistband, firing five shots at the deputy. Gaede returned fire, discharging eight rounds and killing Griffith in the exchange.
Deputy Gaede was rushed to the hospital but tragically died from his injuries.
Explosives and Weapons Found at Griffith’s Residence
A search of Griffith’s home revealed a stockpile of dangerous materials, including:
- 33+ pounds of explosives such as ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, and commercial blasting caps
- More than 20 firearms
- A large amount of ammunition
According to the sheriff’s office, there is no indication that Griffith specifically targeted Deputy Gaede in advance.
The deadly shooting of Deputy Brandon Gaede has shed light on a deeply troubling situation involving illegal explosives and a substantial weapons cache.
While authorities believe the incident escalated spontaneously, the volume of explosives and firearms found at Kolton Griffith’s home highlights ongoing safety concerns in rural communities.
The investigation remains active as officials continue to examine Griffith’s background and possible motives.