‘Argument between friends turned violent’: More details in Wichita American Legion killing

The man killed Thursday night when a fight turned deadly inside an American Legion in north Wichita is 55-year-old Anthony Grayson, Wichita police spokesperson Andrew Ford said in an update Friday afternoon.

A 56-year-old man remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition, Ford said in a news release.

A 52-year-old Wichita man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of first-degree murder and aggravated battery.

Police were called to a shooting at 7:28 p.m. at American Legion Post 273, which is on Hydraulic near 13th.

“Investigators confirmed that the suspect and Grayson were involved in a fight inside the bar,” Ford said. “The suspect then left, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and returned. Employees attempted to prevent him from reentering, but he pushed past them and went back inside, where another fight broke out. During the altercation, the suspect fired the gun, striking Grayson and the second victim, who was attempting to intervene.”

Grayson was unresponsive when police arrived. He had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at a hospital at 7:55 p.m.

The other victim, who was also shot multiple times, went to a hospital in a private vehicle.

“Once again, someone has lost their life, not because of a stranger, but because an argument between friends turned violent,” Chief Joe Sullivan said in a news release. “When someone decides that they are going out to drink and brings a gun with them, that is an intentional act. That is a choice they made that creates a potential for tragedy.”

This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 9:56 AM.