SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a gunfight at a funeral in Wichita has admitted his role in the crime and will face reduced charges.
Last week, Demetrious Carter, 19, pled guilty to aggravated endangering of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He had originally been charged with with two counts of aggravated assault.
On June 16, 2023. police were dispatched to a shooting call at Life Center Church in the 1100 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.
First responders encountered a chaotic scene and a crowd of more than 50 people running in different directions. During the initial response officers located an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right forearm and provided life-saving measures. The 18-year-old victim later identified as Carter was treated for his serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The investigation revealed that several suspects arrived at the parking lot of the church and confronted a large group of people attending a funeral right outside the main door.
After a brief verbal altercation between both groups, an unknown number of people from both groups started to shoot at each other. After initial interviews, officers arrested Carter and transported him to investigations for further questioning before an arrest.
During the incident, several vehicles, and residences around and in front of the church’s parking lot were hit with gunfire. Police also recovered several firearms from the scene.