SHAWNEE, Kan. — A co-owner of “She’s a Pistol” gun shop in Shawnee died on Friday after he was taken to a hospital in critical condition with gunshot injuries. He was struck in a shootout that was the result of an attempted robbery by four male suspects who were fired upon by the owners. Three suspects were hit and two have critical injuries.
Jon Bieker, 44, died late Friday afternoon according to the Shawnee Police Department. The other co-owner, Jon’s wife Rebecca Bieker, was punched or hit by the suspects and taken to the hospital from the shop at 5725 Nieman Rd., in Shawnee on Friday.
Aside from the two of the suspects who have critical injuries, the third suspect’s injuries are reportedly not life-threatening and the fourth suspect was not shot. Four of the injured were taken to Overland Park Regional Hospital and the fifth patient was taken to The University of Kansas Hospital.
Two of the suspects were found by police at the shop according to FOX 4’s Megan Brilley and two of the suspects fled and ran in a southeast direction. They ran for a few blocks and hid inside a home’s screened porch, knocking on the homeowner’s door to get in. Maj. Tennis said the homeowner called police and they were apprehended.
Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers released a statement about the shooting:
“Today is a day of great sadness in our city. John and Becky are respected business owners in our community who do things the right way and are always willing to go out of their way to help others.
The simple fact is there is no place for this type of violence in Shawnee or any other city. We pride ourselves on being a safe and friendly city and today’s events, while unbelievably tragic, will not change that.
I want to pass along my condolences to the entire Bieker family. As they deal with this tremendous loss, I know our community stands ready to assist in any way that we can.”
The She’s A Pistol® LLC website describes the store as “a woman-owned personal protection and self-defense training, services, and supplies company based in Shawnee, Kan. We are not a ‘guy’s gun shop’ nor are we specifically a ‘girl’s gun shop.” We specialize in providing a comfortable environment to learn self-defense techniques for men and women,” the website says.
FOX 4 will continue to follow developments with this story.