4-year-old girl shot in the torso inside south Wichita business, police say

A 4-year-old girl was shot Friday afternoon inside a south Wichita business, police Capt. Aaron Moses said.

The girl was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition after being shot in the torso.

“We’re investigating what led up to the shooting,” Moses told media during a news conference. “At this point, everyone is being cooperative, including multiple adults.”

He said a 27-year-old woman was also in the business; police are still investigating their relationship.

“It is very preliminary in this investigation,” he said, adding no one was arrested at the news conference around 3 p.m.

Police were called about a shooting at 1:50 p.m. in the 2500 block of East Harry. First responders said it was “possibly accidental,” according to Sedgwick County 911 Emergency Communications scanner traffic.

The police department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Wesley Medical Center held a news conference last month to publicize an uptick in children being shot. A 1-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy have been killed this year. A hospital official said they had had six serious injuries this year involving guns and children; she thinks the number this year will surpass the 22 last year.

At that news conference, law enforcement talked about free gun locks residents can pick up at the sheriff’s office or police stations during normal business hours without an ID or any questions. Moses spoke in general Friday about shootings involving children.

“We urge the public to handle your firearms safely,” he said. “And secure them safely. There is no excuse not to. We would love to run out of these gun locks and have to buy more to provide to the public.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM.