Man, 23, arrested in teen’s shooting at Wichita basketball court

Police said Friday that a 23-year-old man has been arrested in Sunday’s shooting of a 17-year-old boy during a fight at a north Wichita basketball court.

The man – identified in Sedgwick County Jail records as Dijon Lamont Duane Thomas of Wichita – was booked on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder at 2:32 p.m. Thursday.

Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said the department received “bits and pieces” of information from witnesses and community members that, coupled with work by detectives, led to Thomas’ arrest. The 17-year-old was shot in the leg during a fight in the 2600 block of North Piatt, near 21st and Grove, just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Woodrow on Friday described the shooting as a “targeted event.” About 15 people were in the area before officers arrived. Shots may also have been fired back at the shooter, police have said.

“In cases such as this one, we rely on the community’s help to speak up and say something if they know any details about these cases,” Woodrow told reporters during the agency’s regular weekday news briefing at Wichita City Hall.

She added that authorities think others were probably involved in the shooting case and invited the public to leave anonymous tips with Wichita-Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers.

The organization, which provides a cash reward to tipsters whose information leads to an arrest, can be reached at 316-267-2111, www.wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com or through the P3 Tips mobile application.

Woodrow did not have an update on the injured teen’s condition Friday. She said authorities were still trying to determine why the shooting happened.

This story was originally published May 26, 2017 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Man, 23, arrested in teen’s shooting at Wichita basketball court."