Crime & Courts

Authorities arrest third suspect in double homicide south of Wichita

File photo
File photo

A third suspect involved in a double homicide between Wichita and Derby has been arrested.

Authorities arrested Hieu Trong Luong, 42, of Wichita, on Tuesday in east Wichita, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ben Blick said. The sheriff’s office said in a news release last week that they were looking for Luong, also known as Sunny.

Blick said in an email that an anonymous tip led authorities to the Comfort Inn in the 7800 block of E. 36th Street North. Deputies arrested Luong after a short foot chase.

A woman who was with Luong at the hotel was arrested on an unrelated warrant, Blick said.

Luong has been charged with intentional and premeditated attempted first-degree murder as well as criminal possession of a firearm, a shotgun, by a felon, records show.

The charges stem from a shooting July 2 in the 4300 block of south Rock Road that killed 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California and a man whose identity officials are still trying to verify.

Luong has nine convictions in Kansas between 2003 and 2020, KDOC records show. One was in Stanton County and the rest were in Sedgwick County. The convictions include charges for drugs, criminal damage to property, theft, burglary and criminal threat.

Luong has 19 disciplinary reports from his time in prison. He was last released from prison in July 2021 and was taken off parole in January, records show.

Authorities have also arrested 42-year-old David Baeza and 43-year-old Joseph Ponse in the killings. Baeza was charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter. Ponse was charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, court documents say.

This story was originally published July 12, 2022 at 2:02 PM.

Eduardo Castillo
The Wichita Eagle
Eduardo covers crime and breaking news for The Wichita Eagle. His previous work experience includes stints at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, the local CBS affiliate in Wichita, and as a marketing manager for a local real estate team. In addition to writing, Eduardo also enjoys still photography and cinematography. News tips? email at Edcastillo@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6213.
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