Serine
A Wichita teenager who was fatally shot by police on July 24 reportedly struggled with mental health issues and intended to provoke officers into shooting him, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
The confrontation occurred outside the Wichita Police Department’s Patrol North substation, located near 21st Street and Hillside, around 6:32 a.m., as an officer was ending his shift.
What Led to the Shooting
Col. Brian White of the sheriff’s office shared new insights during a press briefing. He explained that 19-year-old Nehemiah Flemming approached the officer unprovoked.
A second man attempted to intervene, urging Flemming to walk away, but Flemming rejected the effort and confronted the officer.
Flemming inquired about Black males carrying firearms, to which the officer explained it was not illegal. At that point, Flemming pulled a black handgun from his pocket, placed it on a nearby patrol car, and asked, “What are you going to do about it?” He continued holding the weapon.
When the officer reached for the gun, Flemming grabbed it and aimed it directly at the officer. The entire sequence—from drawing the weapon to pointing it—unfolded in just two seconds, White noted.
Rapid Response from Officers
The first officer dove for cover. A second officer, just arriving for his shift, witnessed Flemming with the gun aimed at his colleague and fired three rounds. Flemming then fled through the parking lot.
A third officer, hearing the disturbance, exited the substation, saw Flemming still armed and running, and fired two more shots.
Flemming was struck once and later died at a local hospital. Authorities confirmed that he never discharged his firearm during the incident.
Mental Health Background and Family Intervention
According to detectives, Flemming had shared intentions with others about provoking law enforcement to shoot him—a phenomenon commonly referred to as “suicide by cop.”
Flemming’s family had tried to de-escalate the situation and alert police to his deteriorating mental state before the tragic encounter.
“This is a very tragic incident for his family and emotionally devastating for the involved officers,” said Col. White.
Ongoing Investigation
A 9mm handgun was recovered from the scene with one round chambered and six rounds in the magazine.
Following Wichita Police Department policy, Chief Joe Sullivan activated the Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT).
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and will submit the case to the District Attorney’s office for review.
The incident highlights the growing challenges faced by both families and law enforcement when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The loss of Nehemiah Flemming is a tragic reminder of the critical need for early intervention, mental health support, and community awareness to prevent such fatal outcomes in the future.