20-year-old Wichita man becomes second person arrested in northside killing

A 20-year-old Wichita man was booked into jail Friday in connection to a July 17 fatal shooting in north Wichita, police said Saturday.

Tyler Eugene Kelly was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection to the death of 16-year-old Joseph Florence. A 16-year-old boy has previously been arrested on suspicion of felony murder.

Kelly was arrested at Wesley Medical Center, records show. Police have previously reported that a 20-year-old was shot in the burglary in progress call officers responded to at around 9:50 p.m. on July 17 at a home in the 2600 block of North Piatt.

Police found Florence with fatal gunshot wounds when they responded to the call. He was taken to a Wichita hospital, where he died.

Police say the two 16-year-olds and the 20-year-old all know each other. They say a fight broke out when the suspects went to Florence’s home “and multiple shots were fired that struck all three individuals.”

Police have not discussed a motive. Officers also found two guns during their investigation, police say.

Contributing: Amy Renee Leiker with The Eagle

This story was originally published July 24, 2021 at 9:35 AM.