WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Saturday Night Update: The Wichita Police Department (WPD) arrested 24-year-old Damion Hazelton in connection with a homicide investigation in south Wichita.
After an investigation, Wichita police determined Hazelton was the shooter in the area of 7000 E. Lincoln on Friday. WPD said Hazelton was located and arrested without incident.
WPD said Hazelton was arrested for felony murder and discharge into an occupied vehicle.
The investigation is still ongoing. WPD is still asking anyone with information about this incident to call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Friday night update: As of Friday night, Wichita police have not confirmed any arrests in connection with the southeast Wichita homicide investigation. Friday evening, the WPD SWAT team responded to the scene in the 7000 block of East Lincoln, near Lincoln and San Pablo, where it was believed a suspect may have entered an apartment (a quadplex). SWAT team members were later seen leaving the area.
WPD Chief Joe Sullivan said cooperation from witnesses has been critical as detectives work the case. Sullivan assured that officers will find the suspects.
“All of our resources that we can muster within this department are fully committed and we will work through the night (if necessary) until we have the person or people who committed this unspeakable act in jail,” said WPD Chief.
Anyone with information about the case should call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Friday evening update: Wichita Police Department SWAT team members responded to the scene of a homicide in the 7000 block of East Lincoln near Lincoln and San Pablo where a suspect was believed to he could have entered an apartment (a quadplex).
Wichita Police Department Executive Officer Lt. Aaron Moses said the emergency response began around 2:18 p.m. when a series of 911 calls reported a crash and shooting in Lincoln and San Pablo. At the scene, WPD officers found a red SUV that had crashed into a building. An injured man found in that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
*** UPDATE ***
First responders are still actively working the scene in the 7000 block of E. Lincoln. We ask that you continue to avoid the area.
Thanks again for your patience and understanding. We will update when traffic reopens.
— Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) June 24, 2023
WPD Chief Joe Sullivan addressed the larger issue of gun violence and the impact on the community. He said the cooperation of witnesses at the scene “will be one of the main reasons they solve this crime.”
D’Shaun Franklin and Kaitlyn Huynh are among those who live near the scene and relayed what they saw.
“As soon as we get in, the cops come down the street, then we look and they pull this guy (out of) the car and they started CPR on him, like 10 minutes. And finally, they put a white sheet on him,” Franklin said.
Sullivan spoke of his department’s commitment to cracking down on violent crime in the city.
“We will not tolerate this,” Sullivan said. “One homicide incident is one too many. If you have one, you have a problem.” We will not tolerate this. We have zero tolerance for gun violence.”
Sullivan assured that the WPD will find the suspect.
“All of our resources that we can muster within this department are fully committed and we will work through the night (if necessary) until we have the person or people who committed this unspeakable act in jail,” said WPD Chief.
His parting message during a press conference at 6:30 p.m. is that if you commit gun violence, you will pay the price.
“You don’t want to keep doing this in the city of Wichita because we’re going to put you in jail for a long time,” he said. “You should look at what’s going on in the recent incidents of people who have done things like this in the city of Wichita. They’re in jail right now, wishing they hadn’t.”
Update: Wichita police confirm to 12 News that a homicide is under investigation in southeast Wichita after a shooting near Lincoln and San Pablo. Police say the victim is a man. Neither his name nor his age have been released. We are told that one suspect is exceptional.
Police plan to release more details about the investigation during a press conference scheduled for 6:30 p.m
Wichita police are on the scene of a shooting in the 7000 block of E. Lincoln.
It’s in the same area that Sedgwick County dispatchers confirmed was the scene of a crash. Reports indicate that at least one person has died of their injuries at the scene, located near Lincoln and San Pablo between Rock Road and Woodlawn.
Police said additional officers and investigators are responding to the area. People have been advised to avoid the area of the incident.
Officers responded to a shooting in the area of 7000 E Lincoln. Please avoid the area. More information to follow.
— Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) June 23, 2023
If anyone has information about this case, please call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. file number 23C053706.
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