SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating fatal officer involved shooting that occurred on March 6, in the area of 21st Street North and Arkansas in Wichita.
Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, Sedgwick County 911 received a call reporting someone was in a house pointing a gun at another person in the 2300 block of North Fairview, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Lt. Nathan Gibbs.
The suspect left the residence prior to the officer’s arrival. Several Wichita Police Officers arrived in the area at approximately 7:54 PM and located a man later identified as 35-year-old Luis A. Rivera, in the street holding a gun to his head, according to Gibbs.
Officers attempted to talk to Rivera and get him to put the gun down. He walked away from the officers, going south on Fairview, still holding a gun to his head and yelling at the officers.
Some officers followed Rivera on foot while others followed in police vehicles. A Crisis Negotiator was on scene and utilized the patrol car’s public address speaker to communicate with Rivera and ordered him to drop the gun.
Rivera walked west on 21st Street, continuing to hold the gun to his head and refusing to comply with the multiple requests to drop the gun. Other officers in the area attempted to divert traffic on 21st street to reduce the danger to the public, officers, and Rivera.
At approximately 8:04 PM a supervisor requested less lethal munitions as Rivera walked to a parking lot of a vacant building at 21st and Arkansas. An officer deployed a less lethal 40mm foam projectile, striking the suspect in the back in an attempt to have him comply.
While the officer was announcing the deployment of the less lethal round, Rivera stated he was going to make it lethal. Rivera turned toward the officers, leveling his gun toward the officers, and fired multiple rounds. Eight officers returned fire and struck Rivera multiple times.
Officers rendered aid to Rivera until the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS arrived on scene at approximately 8:14 PM. Rivera was pronounced dead on scene at approximately 8:21 PM.
No officers were injured during this incident.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.