Wichita man convicted of trying to kill wife, two sons

A Wichita man on trial for trying to kill his wife and two sons last year has been convicted of three counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

Pettix McMillan, 39, could be ordered to serve 12 1/2 years to more than 54 years in prison when he is sentenced for the crimes later this year. Prosecutors said McMillan shot his wife in her arm and neck during an argument in the garage of their home, at 334 N. Parkdale, on March 24, 2014, and then turned the gun on their 5- and 13-year-old boys.

The 13-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the back of his neck near his right ear, according to evidence shown in court. McMillan also shot the younger boy in the head. All three survived.

Neighbors called 911 after the woman and 13-year-old ran from the house seeking help. Two older children were not home at the time of the shooting.

McMillan fled from the home after the attack. Police officers arrested him hours later after he was spotted walking in a parking lot of a shopping center less than a mile away.

The convictions came Thursday following a four-day trial, the D.A.’s office said. Officers testified there had been several domestic violence calls to the home, including one six weeks before the shooting.

Wichita police officers who testified Wednesday said the family was conscious after the attack and knew McMillan was the shooter. One officer told jurors when he talked to the 13-year-old, the boy said: “Are you going to put our dad away for good now that he shot us?”

McMillan’s sentencing date has not yet been set. District Judge Eric Yost presided over the trial.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Wichita man convicted of trying to kill wife, two sons."