Payton LaPoint, 25, of Liberal made his 1st appearance in Seward County District Court. Lapoint is being charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree and a Felon in Possession of a firearm. Payton D. LaPoint has been arrested in connection with the murder of his father John LaPoint.

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On Sunday, January 5, 2025, approx. 3:00pm, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, along with Seward County Rural Fire, Seward County EMS and the Liberal Police Department, responded to a property in rural Seward County at 15143 Denoon Road for a report of a gunshot victim.

Law Enforcement arrived on scene and took a 25-year-old male into custody without incident. Law Enforcement subsequently located John Robert LaPoint, a 52-year-old male, in the residence at the property deceased with gunshot wounds.

This is an isolated incident and there is no cause for alarm in the area. This is an ongoing investigation, the person(s) involved have not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.