Bystander killed in club shooting that police think has gang ties
A 19-year-old Wichita woman killed early Sunday in a west-side club thought to be operating past closing time was an innocent bystander to a shooting that police think has gang ties.
Sonja Brown was among people inside of the 511 Club who started running when gunfire rang out before 3 a.m. on Sunday. She wasn’t the shooter’s intended target but was struck and died from her injuries later, Wichita police Capt. Brent Allred said.
The shooter remains at large, and police are asking for the public’s help. Tips can be called into Wichita police detectives at 316-268-4407 or anonymously to the See Something Say Something hot line at 316-519-2282 or Wichita-Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Allred said dozens of people are thought to have witnessed the shooting but few have come forward, slowing the investigation.
“It’s time for people to take a stand against stuff that’s wrong. And this was wrong,” he said during a news briefing Monday morning.
“A female that was there to have a good time — even though it was after hours — was shot and killed inside this club. And those individuals that know about this need to report it.”
He added: “I’m asking them to come forward to give us the information so we can do our job to investigate this — to hold the person responsible for the victim’s family.”
The club could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. A website for the club says it’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Police think the shooter went to the club, at 511 N. West St., to assault a particular person — not Brown. There was a verbal fight between two men in the club and shots were fired, causing club patrons to try to flee, Allred said.
Brown — “a complete bystander” who was in the club with people she knew — was hit during the melee, he said.
Allred wouldn’t give details about where exactly Brown was hit, other than to say she was shot inside of the club.
Shots also were fired outside.
“There was probably 30 plus shells casings in the parking lot at this location,” Allred said. A Mexican restaurant across the street from the club, Rene’s Restaurant, was also “shot up” when the gunfire spilled outside, he said.
“We do believe gang members were involved in this,” he said. Police also think a second person may have been shot, but that person hasn’t come forward.
Allred said the club is licensed to operate until 2 a.m. But, he said, it appears it was open for business after hours, which city ordinance prohibits under certain circumstances.
He said authorities plan to “to look into those violations of this club operating after hours” and potential penalties, which can include closure.
Last month, the city asked a judge for permission to padlock an unlicensed club at 7007 E. Harry that has been the site of several shootings, a homicide, brawls and unlawful drug use and alcohol sales over the past few years. The city considered that club — known as “The Peoples 316 Association” — to be a nuisance because of the crime rate. Its operator, Arlando Trotter, is now facing criminal charges connected to liquor law and other violations.
“Not very many things good happen after 2 o’clock in the morning at clubs that are operating, having individuals inside drinking and doing other things. That’s why there is a law against it. And we’ll look into those ordinances or anything else to cite the owner or the operator of the club.”
Brown’s slaying is the city’s 31st criminal homicide of the year. Criminal homicides don’t include self-defense, accidental or police-involved killings deemed justified. Brown’s is the 38th homicide overall.
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 11:22 AM.
