Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Wichita Police Department (WPD) officers responded to a shooting call at 21st and Maize Rd. Wichita Fire Department personnel were at the Dillon’s store at that location when they located a young man, 18, with a gunshot wound. The 18-year-old directed them to another man, 21, who was in the parking lot between two vehicles with multiple gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries but are expected to survive. Investigators responded to the scene and located two vehicles parked next to each other on the East side of the Dillon’s parking lot. Both cars appeared to have sustained damage from gunshots. Investigators learned that shortly after 2:00 p.m., one of the vehicles backed into a parking stall on the East side of the parking lot. A man exited the vehicle, removed something from the trunk, and then re-entered the car.
Later, the other vehicle backed into a stall next to the first one. Shortly after that, gunfire was exchanged between the two vehicles, and three men exited the vehicles and fled into the neighborhood to the east.
One of the three men that fled – the 18-year-old – returned to the parking lot, where he contacted Fire Department personnel. Numerous officers searched the surrounding area for the suspects. At this time, a person of interest has been identified.
The two injured men remain in the hospital in stable but critical condition. It is believed the individuals involved were meeting at the location for a drug transaction.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting is urged to contact WPD Investigators at 316-268-4407. Alternatively, you can call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 to provide an anonymous tip. Tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to felony arrests are eligible for cash rewards.
The investigation is ongoing.