A suspect fled into a wooded area after he reportedly struck a woman in the head with a gun, which had jammed when he attempted to shoot her west of Baxter Springs Tuesday afternoon 

Just after 4:00 p.m., Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the scene and established a perimeter with assistance from the Baxter Springs Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Quapaw Nation Marshal's Service.  The Miami Oklahoma Police Department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation also responded to provide equipment support during the incident.

In addition to searching the wooded areas and fields within the vicinity, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies also searched a camper on the property.  During the search, deputies located the suspect hiding in a closet at which time the suspect took his own life, dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The deceased suspect was identified as 46 year-old Joseph Gunsolus.

During the search for the suspect, the woman was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released.