SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man involved in a deadly shooting rampage in Wichita last fall was sentenced on Friday.
Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Jose A. Acosta, 33, to over 50 years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In May Acosta pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, attempted aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm, and two counts of battery.
Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter listed the violent incidents involving Acosta on November 22, 2024.
Timeline of Events
At 8:52 PM, Wichita Police officers were dispatched to a reported robbery involving a firearm in the 1400 block of North Otis. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jose Antonio Acosta, pistol whipped one individual and pointed the gun at another, stealing their bicycle.
At 8:56 PM, as Acosta walked away from the robbery, he fired multiple shots into a residence in the 1400 block of North Otis. The homeowner narrowly avoided being shot, but the gunfire struck their dog.
At 9:16 PM, another victim reported an attempted carjacking that occurred near 16th and Broadway. Acosta allegedly struck the vehicle's window with a gun before firing several rounds at the car as the driver fled. Evidence of gunfire, including damage to the vehicle’s back window, was confirmed.
At 9:20 PM, officers investigating the area heard gunshots south of 13th and Broadway. It was determined that Acosta had engaged in a confrontation with an unidentified man at 11th and Broadway, firing multiple rounds. Detectives are actively seeking this individual.
Around the same time, Acosta confronted a woman across the street at a convenience store. Following a verbal altercation, he fired several shots at her. Fortunately, she was not injured.
At 9:26 PM, two WPD officers located Acosta near 11th and Broadway next to the stolen bicycle. After repeated commands to surrender, Acosta attempted to draw his firearm, hindered by an extended magazine. He eventually raised the weapon toward the officers, prompting them to fire. Acosta sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.
Additional Incident
During interviews with victims of the Otis robbery, officers searched Prospect Park near 13th and Main. There, they discovered the body of 40-year-old Myron Tucker of Wichita, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Tucker was shot around 8:49 PM, shortly before the robbery.
Arrest
Acosta was released from the hospital and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.