A 21-year-old man has been arrested after two teenage girls were shot Friday night in north Wichita, police said.
The victims, ages 15 and 18, were injured after gunfire broke out near 14th Street North and Piatt. Both survived the shooting, and police said their injuries were not life-threatening.
According to the Wichita Police Department, officers were first alerted to the shooting by the Raven Gunshot Detection System at about 10:28 p.m. Friday.
When officers arrived in the area, they found a 15-year-old girl who had suffered a graze wound to her upper body. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Second Victim Arrived At Hospital
While officers were still investigating at the shooting scene, police said an 18-year-old woman walked into a nearby hospital about 10 minutes later.
She had been shot in the lower body and was later connected to the same incident.
Investigators determined that the 18-year-old had gone to North Piatt with several other people, including the 21-year-old man now suspected in the shooting.
Police said the situation escalated after a fight broke out.
Dozens Of Rifle Rounds Fired
According to police, more than three dozen rifle rounds were fired during the incident.
The gunfire injured both teen girls and created danger for others in the area. Investigators said the shooting was tied to an ongoing dispute among people involved, which had already been documented by police before Friday night.
Authorities have not released the names of the injured teens.
The 21-year-old suspect has also not been named in the report because he had been arrested but not formally charged at the time.
Police Chief Condemns Violence
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan criticized the actions that led to the shooting, saying adults should be making responsible decisions rather than involving themselves in disputes with juveniles.
In a statement, Sullivan said adults showed up to fight and then resorted to gunfire with no regard for the safety of people nearby.
He also noted that one of the people shot had reportedly arrived with the suspect’s own group.
Sullivan called the behavior reckless and unacceptable, saying the violence needs to stop.
Suspect Arrested After Overnight Search
Police searched for the 21-year-old man overnight after the shooting.
He was taken into custody Saturday and booked on suspicion of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and criminal damage to property.
The investigation remains ongoing, and formal charges will depend on further review by prosecutors.
Authorities have not said whether additional arrests are possible.
Investigation Continues
Police are continuing to gather evidence and review the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Investigators are expected to examine shell casings, witness statements, prior reports connected to the dispute and any available surveillance footage from the area.
Because more than three dozen rounds were reportedly fired, police are also likely working to determine whether property was damaged and whether others were placed at risk.
Two teenage girls were injured after a Friday night shooting in north Wichita that police say stemmed from an ongoing dispute.
A 21-year-old man was arrested Saturday after an overnight search and booked on suspicion of multiple offenses. Both victims survived, but police say the shooting placed innocent people in danger and reflected a reckless escalation of violence.