Wichita boy, 14, arrested in shooting deaths of two teens; police look for more suspects

A 14-year-old Wichita boy was arrested in the killings of two teenagers, and police are looking for other suspects, Wichita Police Department spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said Saturday evening.

The boy was arrested on two counts of murder and one count of juvenile in possession of a gun in the Friday night shootings of 14-year-old Emoni Shears and 19-year-old Jhiquez Roberts, both of Wichita.

The two drove themselves to the hospital after the shooting was reported at 11:56 p.m. in the 5200 block of East Kensington, near 13th and Oliver. Police previously said the shooting was in the 1700 block of North Old Manor, just around the corner from Kensington, but changed the address after further investigation.

Shears and Roberts drove there to meet with the suspect, who was with other people, before gunfire was exchanged, Rebolledo said. Shears and Roberts were in a vehicle when the shooting took place.

Rebolledo said they are all acquaintances. He wouldn’t say what they think the shooting was over, but said it wasn’t gang- or drug-related.

None of the people known to be involved lives in that block, he said.

Chief Joe Sullivan said the shootings need to stop.

“Receiving notifications about shootings is always disheartening, and it becomes even more saddening when it involves the loss of a child’s life,” he said. “This has to stop. As a community, we must demonstrate to our young people that there are alternatives to violence.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. Callers can remain anonymous with Crime Stoppers.

The deaths are the city’s third and fourth homicides so far this year, according to reports from police.

This story was originally published January 26, 2024 at 11:00 PM.