Wichita police used more than 75 non-lethal rounds and canisters during protests

Wichita police fired more than 75 non-lethal rounds and canisters during the two days of protest where police were hit with debris and shot at, the Wichita Police Department said Tuesday.

Protests have been staged across the country, sometimes degenerating into violence, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Wichita saw a couple of weeks of protests, with two days ending with police using force. Protests in Wichita began May 30, a Saturday, and turned violent the following Monday and Tuesday.

“After they started getting hit with cinder blocks and rocks, bottles — and then that suspect began firing towards officers — did they begin to start to utilize some of these options,” officer Charley Davidson said in a phone interview about the June 1 protests. “On Tuesday (June 2) again they were utilized after multiple gunshots continued to be fired around the protest area there at 21st and Arkansas ... We utilized these techniques to try and clear the unlawful assemblies.”

The non-lethal rounds and canisters included:

33 canisters of smoke (two as distractions and 31 as chemical deterrents)

11 aerial bursts, also known as flash-bangs

19 40mm foam rounds

16 bean bag rounds

Davidson said he wasn’t aware of any injuries or hospitalizations from the non-lethal rounds.

The protests also led to arrests and businesses being damaged, including one being looted. Here is a list of the costs that police have associated with the protests:

Arrests

Police have arrested 19 people in connection to protests. Charges include inciting a riot, burglary, obstruction, reckless driving and possession of drugs.

The people arrested range in age from 15 to 31, with an average age of about 23. One person arrested is from Park City, the rest are from Wichita.

Damage

More than $20,000 in damage has been attributed to protesters. There have been more reports of damage, but police don’t know whether they can be tied to the protesting.

The area near 21st and Arkansas, where protesters gathered, saw the highest concentration of damaged businesses. Businesses on three corners had their windows broken and the QuikTrip was looted as well.

No damage estimate was available regarding the QuikTrip, which was looted.

Other stores at the intersection, including Metro by T-Mobile and O’Reilly Auto Parts, had an estimated $2,000 in damage each from windows being broken. Wood has been put up in place of the shattered glass.

Boost Mobile, near 21st and Amidon, had an estimated $800 in damage from a broken glass door and about $500 in missing phone cases and Bluetooth speakers.

DICK’S Sporting Goods, at 21st and Rock, had an unlisted amount of damage to its building, police records show. The company did not respond to an inquiry for comment from The Eagle.

Dillards, near I-235 and Kellogg, had $1,000 in damage from a broken door and shattered glass.

Cabela’s, near 21st and Greenwich, had roughly $14,100 in damage — $13,000 from metal doors and glass being broken and about $1,100 in missing dog training collars, records show.

There have been other examples of damage this week, such as an estimated $4,000 window broken at the McDonald’s on South Broadway, but police haven’t tied them to the protests.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to include comments from police and the list of non-lethal rounds and canisters that were deployed. (Updated June 23, 2020, at 5:45 p.m.)

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 5:38 PM.