After 2 recent fatal shootings of children, here’s what Wichita police are doing about it
After the fatal shootings of a 1-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy in the past month, Wichita law enforcement agencies are offering free gun locks and reminding everyone about gun safety.
“We underestimate how strong, crafty and willful small children are if there is a weapon available and their ability to find it,” Dr. Kimberly Molik, a pediatric general surgeon at Wesley Medical Center, said Monday at a news conference.
“They will find it and use it with devastating consequences, as our community is witnessing.”
In addition to the two deaths involving firearms, Wesley has seen six serious injuries involving guns and children so far this year. In 2024, Wesley saw 22 pediatric gun injuries, Molik said. She thinks this year’s numbers will surpass that.
“Each year, we hear tragic stories of children gaining access to unsecured firearms, and the heartbreaking truth is that these incidents are entirely preventable,” Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said at the news conference.
Michael Tejeda, 25, was charged earlier this month with first-degree murder among other charges after his 3-year-old daughter accidentally shot his 1-year-old daughter in the head on Feb. 28 at their south Wichita home. Court documents said Tejeda had been watching the girls and put his gun on a fireplace, where his eldest daughter found it. The shooting was accidental, according to court documents.
The second shooting happened March 16 at a southeast Wichita apartment. Tasha Dillard, 25, has been charged with first-degree murder, among a list of charges, in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Davion Gunter.
It is unclear who shot Gunter, and Sullivan declined to talk about that, citing an ongoing investigation.
He did say that in both shootings, a gun was left accessible to small children.
The safety of our children starts with the choices we make as gun owners,” Sullivan said. “We are offering these gun locks to protect families from firearm-related violence.”
Residents who want a cable-style lock or trigger lock can visit police stations while supplies last. Residents can also pick up a gun lock at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office jail lobby, or ask a deputy on patrol for one.
“No questions asked.” Sullivan said. “You will not be asked to show your ID.”
Residents can visit the following stations or call for a gun lock:
Patrol North: 316-350-3400, 3015 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67214
Patrol South: 316-350-3440, 211 E Pawnee St, Wichita, KS 67211
Patrol West: 316-350-3460, 3015 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67214
Patrol East: 316-350-3420, 5215 E Lincoln St, Wichita, KS 67218
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM.