Dec 04, 2023

Kan. mass shooting suspect remains free on bond, returns to court

Posted Dec 04, 2023 1:00 AM
Thomas-photo Sedgwick Co.
Thomas-photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK —A man charged in connection to mass shooting that left 11 people injured at a Wichita nightclub made another court appearance last  week.

Jaylen Thomas 23, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's offic

Thomas was the fourth suspect arrested  in connection with the mass  shooting in July at the City Nightz Club in Wichita's Old Town.

 Thomas is charged with attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a city, according to the District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors have also charged 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram and 27-year-old John D. Houze  with aggravated battery, 6 counts of aggravated assault, 3 counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a city, according to the District Attorney. 

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH

A Missouri man arrested in the case was not charged after the district attorney determined he was acting in self defense.

Just before 1a.m. July 2, police responded to the club in the 200 Block of North Washington, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

There were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.  No one was killed but one person was critically injured.  Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect. He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.

The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police  also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.

The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later Sunday.

Thomas remains free after meeting the requirements of a $500,000 bond. He is due back in court Dec. 21 to enter a plea to the charges.

The two  other suspects have also waived their right to a preliminary hearing.