SEDGWIC COUNTY — Police arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with a Friday night shooting that injured two teens.
At approximately 10:28 p.m. on Friday, June 26, officers responded to a Raven Gunshot Detection System alert near 14th Street North and Piatt, according to a media release from Wichita Police. One minute later, Sedgwick County 911 received reports of a shooting in the 1400 block of N. Piatt.
When officers arrived, they located a 15-year-old girl suffering from a graze wound to her upper body. Officers immediately began providing medical aid until Sedgwick County EMS arrived. She was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
While officers were investigating the scene, at approximately 10:38 p.m., Sedgwick County 911 notified them of a walk-in shooting victim at St. Francis Hospital. Officers responded to the hospital and contacted an 18-year-old woman who had sustained a gunshot wound to her lower body. Investigators determined her injuries were also sustained during the shooting in the 1400 block of N. Piatt.
Through the preliminary investigation, officers and investigators learned the 18-year-old woman arrived on N. Piatt with several other individuals including the shooting suspect. A fight broke out between multiple people when a 21-year-old male suspect retrieved a rifle and fired multiple rounds, striking the 15-year-old girl and the 18-year-old woman.
Investigators also learned the incident appears to be connected to an ongoing dispute between the parties involved that had previously been documented by officers.
A search continued for the suspect throughout the night and into Saturday, June 27. Members of the Community Response Team, K-9 Unit and Patrol East Bureau located and arrested the 21-year-old suspect, identified in county booking records as Adrian Perez, without incident.
The suspect was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and criminal damage to property.
"This case highlights both the value of technology and the consequences of reckless decisions," said Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan. "Our Raven Gunshot Detection System alerted officers to gunfire before the first 911 call was received, allowing them to begin responding immediately and get to the scene faster to assess the situation, provide medical aid and secure the area. That technology continues to make a real difference by giving our officers a critical head start during life-threatening incidents.
"What is equally concerning is that this incident began with adults and juveniles becoming involved in a dispute that escalated from social media to gunfire. We have grown adults who should be making responsible decisions instead choosing to involve themselves in disputes with juveniles, showing up to fight and then resorting to gunfire with no regard for the safety of anyone around them. In this case, not only were innocent people put at risk, but the suspect also shot someone who arrived with his own group. That is reckless, unacceptable and it has to stop.
"More than three dozen rounds were fired in a neighborhood where families live. While we are thankful the victims are expected to recover physically, incidents like this leave lasting impacts on the victims, the neighbors and the entire community. No one should have to experience this kind of violence in their neighborhood.
"I am proud of the work our officers did from the moment the Raven alert came in through the arrest of the suspect the following day. Officers, detectives, our Community Response Team, K-9 Unit and Patrol East Bureau worked together quickly and professionally to identify, locate and safely take the suspect into custody. Their response reflects the dedication, teamwork and commitment they bring to protecting our community every day."
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigators at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Case Number: 26C119795