Jan 17, 2024

Homicide: Teen captured in Oklahoma is moved to Kansas jail

Posted Jan 17, 2024 10:00 PM
Sawyer-photo Sedgwick County
Sawyer-photo Sedgwick County

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A teen accused in a deadly shooting has been moved from a jail in Oklahoma to Kansas

Just after noon Tuesday, deputies booked 19-year-old James Sawyer into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of murder and aggravated robbery, according to online jail records. He was being held on a $75,000 bond. He was expected to make a first court appearance Wednesday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Walls-photo Sedgwick County
Walls-photo Sedgwick County

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where the two suspects 18-year-old Phillip Walls of Derby and Sawyer were in custody. 

On December 13, Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Two days later he was charged with 1st degree murder and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.