Wichita father arrested for murder in killing of 8-year-old daughter, police say

A 51-year-old Wichita man was arrested Tuesday in the May 8 killing of his 8-year-old daughter, Wichita police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said Wednesday.

Thomas Ross Gatewood was arrested after a warrant was issued. Police said they used the Flock Safety license plate reader surveillance system to find Gatewood within hours of the warrant being issued.

Court records show Gatewood has been charged with 11 counts: first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, four counts of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of abuse of a child, two counts of aggravated endangering of a child and one count of aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim.

The charges are in connection with an incident reported just before 7 p.m. May 8. It happened in the 600 block of North Oliver, where Gatewood lives. He was arrested in the 400 block of North Oliver, records show.

Police did not release the name of the girl, although they typically do release the names of people who are killed. Gupilan referred that question to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police also referred questions about how the girl died to the district attorney’s office.

A DA spokesperson said The Eagle would have to get her name and other details from court records, when and if they become available.

A police media report offered a little information: Police were called just before 7 p.m. A person reported the victim fell during a fight. The victim was pronounced dead at 7:36 p.m.

Police had not previously reported the homicide. At the time, it would have been the city’s ninth homicide of the year, compared with 17 by that time last year. The city has had 14 reported homicides so far this year, based on numbers released by police.

This story was originally published June 28, 2023 at 1:10 PM.