Man killed after aiming gun at Wichita police officer near 21st and Woodlawn
Members of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a Wichita police officer shot and killed a man early Tuesday morning.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, allegedly made repeated threats through his apartment door to shoot officers before pointing his gun at Wichita cops.
“They were simply attempting to make communications with persons inside the apartment to make sure everyone inside there was safe,” Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said. “Hopefully, the investigation determines why a male would exit the apartment into the hallway and point a gun at the officers.”
Police were at the man’s northeast Wichita address, an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Woodlawn, around 1 a.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance.
When officers arrived, Public Information Officer Andrew Ford said, they could hear people talking inside the apartment.
“When officers knocked on that door, they identified themselves as police,” Ford said. “The male inside of that apartment complex . . . told the officers ‘I’m going to get my gun.’ And that can be heard by the officers from that male inside.”
Ford said the man threatened police several more times. Officers moved away from the doorway and took a defensive stance in response.
“They kept identifying themselves,” Ford said, “asking the male to step out.”
When the man did exit the apartment, Ford said, he did so with a firearm in his hand, then pointed the gun at the officer, who fired.
The man was struck by the officer’s bullet, and police rendered medical aid. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
“These officers tried to get this male to come out peacefully just to talk to them, but again that male came out with a firearm, pointed it at an officer, causing that officer to shoot that suspect,” Ford said.
The investigation is ongoing, members of the Wichita Police Department said. Because the shooting involved a Wichita police officer, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will be leading the investigation.
Sullivan said another male was taken into custody in connection with the incident, but did not give any further details.
Sullivan also said that while the incident was unfortunate, officers made good on their responsibility to respond when lives may be in danger.
“This is also traumatic for the officer involved,” Sullivan said. “When we knock on your door, say we’re police, please don’t exit your home with a firearm and point it at a police officer.”
He added that if there are ever concerns “about who’s out in the hallway,” residents can call 911 to confirm it’s the WPD at the door.
