Man found fatally shot in vehicle outside of north Wichita bar, police say

A 33-year-old Wichita man was found dead inside his vehicle Monday night outside of an adult club in north Wichita.

Joe Wheeler III was found with gunshot wounds inside his vehicle behind Baby Dolls in the 4900 block of North Arkansas near 53rd Street, Wichita police Capt. Jason Stephens said Tuesday. The business calls itself a “bikini bar.”

Police were called about a shooting at around 9 p.m.

“The investigation revealed that there was some sort of unknown disturbance that occurred inside the bar that ended up spilling out into the parking lot and resulted in the fatal injury to the victim,” Stephens said.

Stephens said he thinks Wheeler was shot inside his vehicle.

“There is still a person of interest … I can’t reveal that information just yet until we have continued a few more interviews,” Stephens said.

Wichita has had 35 criminal homicides so far this year, police said.

Anyone with information about the case can call detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 9:09 AM.