By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

BELOIT — Mitchell County Attorney Mark Noah confirmed Saturday that a rural Beloit man shot in his home early Friday morning was Gary Nelson, 61, a general contractor in the area.

Nelson was transported to a Wichita hospital, where he later died.

Noah would not reveal any other details about the shooting. He said more information would be made available in a Monday news release.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and the Beloit Police Department are investigating the case as a homicide, Noah said.

“There is a lot of forensic work still involved (at the home), and we’ve got to allow them to do their work,” he said.

An autopsy on Nelson is being performed, Noah said, and it will be some time before results are known.

No arrests have been made in the case yet and Noah did not know if there was a suspect or suspects being investigated.

He did confirm that three people were in the house with Nelson at the time of the shooting, either family members or friends. They currently are not under suspicion for the shooting, he said.

The shooting occurred about 2 a.m. Friday at Nelson’s home, about five miles west of Beloit, Noah said.

According to Noah, Nelson was a local contractor who was a longstanding member of the community.

“He was a nice guy and worked hard,” Noah said. “We don’t know of any motive yet why he would be shot.”

Nelson’s death notice can be read on page A4.

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at [email protected]