Mandy
Authorities have released new details regarding a deadly deputy-involved shooting that occurred near Wichita, Kansas, earlier this week. The incident is now under active investigation.
Victim Identified in Deputy-Involved Shooting
The Wichita Police Department confirmed Friday that the man who died has been identified as Trey Houlden, a 32-year-old Wichita resident.
The shooting took place early Monday morning near 55th Street South and Hoover Road, following multiple emergency calls reporting a dangerous situation.
911 Calls Report Armed Man Walking Along Road
According to police, four separate 911 callers contacted authorities around 5:30 a.m., reporting a shirtless man carrying a handgun while walking along the roadway. At the time, the temperature was approximately 27 degrees, adding to concerns for public safety.
Deputies Respond and Issue Repeated Commands
Deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene around 5:45 a.m. Officials stated that deputies repeatedly ordered Houlden to drop the gun, which was initially pointed downward.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said a supervising deputy alone issued 11 separate commands instructing Houlden to disarm.
Less-Lethal Force Used Before Gunfire Exchange
At approximately 6:09 a.m., deputies attempted to subdue Houlden by firing a bean bag round that struck his leg. Despite additional commands to drop the weapon, police say the situation escalated moments later.
Around 6:10 a.m., Houlden raised his handgun and fired one shot toward deputies, striking the patrol vehicle they were using for cover.
In response, four deputies returned fire, hitting Houlden. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigation Ongoing
Chief Sullivan emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Once completed, all findings will be formally submitted to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for review and any potential legal determination.
The fatal deputy-involved shooting near Wichita highlights the complexity and danger of law enforcement responses to armed encounters.
While authorities report multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation, the investigation will ultimately determine whether proper procedures were followed.
Officials have pledged transparency as the case moves forward through the district attorney’s review process.