Wichita woman, 80, fatally shot in her home; son then kills himself, police say

An 80-year-old Wichita woman was killed in her north Wichita home by her 57-year-old son, who then killed himself, Wichita police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said Friday.

Margaret O’Neil was found lying on her kitchen floor. She had been shot multiple times. Michael O’Neil of Wichita, the son of the victim, was also found inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police did not say what led to the killing.

Police were called for a welfare check at 6:21 a.m. in the 4800 block of North Portwest, which is in a housing development surrounded by a lake near Meridian and 53rd Street North. A friend called 911 after Margaret O’Neil didn’t answer the door.

Police found O’Neil lying in the kitchen and forced entry into the home. She and her son were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

This is the 11th homicide this month, making it the city’s deadliest month since at least 2018, and at least the 28th homicide of the year, according to records kept by The Eagle based on homicides reported by police.

Even during Wichita’s record year of homicides in 2020, when there were 59, the most in any month was six.

Wichita has seen 16 of its 28 homicides, or 57%, since June 10.

There were 25 homicides at this time last year.

This story was originally published July 28, 2023 at 3:17 PM.