A Parsons woman was shot and killed early Saturday morning by her boyfriend who was free on bond for two criminal cases alleging he kidnapped, battered and assaulted her in April.
Police found Xena R. Coleman dead early Saturday in the 1100 block of Richard Avenue. Her boyfriend, Steve Antone Mc-Donald, 36, of Kansas City, Kansas, shot himself later Saturday morning in Greenwood County during a brief police pursuit. Police did not release Coleman’s name, but several social media posts identified her as the victim in the shooting.
At 1:27 a.m. Saturday, Parsons police officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 1100 block of Richard Avenue. Multiple 911 callers reported hearing screams followed by two gunshots, according to a release from police.
Upon arrival, officers began speaking with witnesses and canvassing the area. Tragically, they discovered a deceased woman with a gunshot wound. The preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was domestic in nature, the release said.
A juvenile witness, identified as the victim’s son, reported that a violent domestic altercation had taken place between his mother and McDonald. The juvenile told officers that Mc-Donald struck him in the head during the argument, prompting the victim, his mother, to flee the residence. As she ran down the street, McDonald followed and fired two shots, one of which struck and killed her.
Following the shooting, McDonald returned to the home, took the victim’s car keys and drove off in a white 2000 Cadillac Escalade, the release said.
Police issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect and the vehicle.
At 2:15 a.m. Saturday, law enforcement in Wilson County spotted the vehicle, according to a release from Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels. Wilson County deputies followed the Escalade into Greenwood County, and Greenwood County deputies spotted the vehicle on U.S. 400 about three miles east of Severy.
Samuels said at 2:32 a.m., Greenwood and Wilson County deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver of the Escalade didn’t yield, causing a brief pursuit. Shortly after the pursuit began, the Escalade left the roadway and crashed. Samuels said the driver, McDonald, wasn’t responding to deputies, who then approached the vehicle and saw McDonald inside with a self-inflicted
See DEATH, Page 3.
gunshot wound. Deputies and the Greenwood County Ambulance Service performed lifesaving measures, but Mc-Donald died at the scene of the crash, Samuels said. He said Greenwood County transferred evidence to Parsons police when they arrived.
McDonald had recently been residing in Parsons with Coleman at 2714 Briggs. He had a history of domestic violence against her, according to records in Labette County District Court.
McDonald faced two cases in Labette County District Court that named Coleman as the victim. Both crimes occurred on April 24.
In one case, McDonald was accused of aggravated kidnapping, arson, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated assault, all felonies, and domestic battery, a misdemeanor. The kidnapping charge carried a minimum prison term of 12 years upon conviction. In the second case, he was charged with aggravated domestic battery, criminal threat, both felonies, and criminal damage to property and domestic battery, both misdemeanors.
Aggravated domestic battery alleges that McDonald either choked or restricted the blood flow of Coleman by applying pressure to her throat, neck or chest.
McDonald made a first appearance on the cases on April 29 and his bond was set at $25,000 in each case. He bonded out on May 15. His bond conditions included bond supervision and no contact with the victim in the cases, court records showed.
Lt. Sherri McGuire, who oversees the Parsons Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, said, “This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the family, the victim’s child and our entire community. Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that tears lives and families apart. Our Domestic Violence Unit was created to intervene, support survivors and prevent these outcomes. We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out there is help, and you are not alone.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help. The Parsons Police Department is committed to supporting survivors and preventing future tragedies, the release said.
— Parsons Police Department Domestic Violence Unit: (620) 421-7060.
— Safehouse Crisis Center 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-794-9148.
— National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
— Website: www.thehotline. org.
