Teen arrested in Sim Park shooting that killed one, critically injured another, police say

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder after an early Saturday shooting in Sim Park in the Riverside neighborhood. One person died and another was hospitalized with critical injuries, Wichita police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said.

David Hernandez-Cervantez, 19, of Wichita, was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. A 22-year-old Wichita man remains hospitalized in critical condition, Gupilan said in a 12:45 p.m. Saturday news release.

He said it’s still being investigated whether the suspect was the only shooter, if anyone else was there other than the victims and suspect and what the shooting was over. The three know one another, he said.

Police found the two victims, each with multiple gunshot wounds, inside Sim Park. The shooting was reported at 12:55 a.m.

A Sedgwick County Emergency Communications 911 dispatcher said there was a “disturbance before the shots were fired” and that the caller “refused to answer any further questions and disconnected on us” and that there was “yelling in the background.”

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.

This is at least the city’s 43rd homicide so far this year, according to reports from police. There were 46 at this time last year.

This story was originally published December 14, 2024 at 2:38 PM.