SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two of four suspects arrested in connection with a fatal shooting May 24 in Wichita made their first appearances in court Thursday.
Orlando Howard, 17 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated robbery, and criminal use of weapons and He has been charged as an adult, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Luis Martinez, 22 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and attempted robbery.
Just after 11:30p.m. May 24, a police officer in the area of 21st and Hood in Wichita and heard gunshots nearby, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens
The officer drove toward the sound of the gunshots and saw a white Ford Edge SUV traveling at a high rate of speed from the area of West 1600 West 21st North.
Police stopped the vehicle and arrested 22-year-old Luis Martinez, 18-year-old Nicholas Olmos, 20-year-old Jaylon Pete and a 17-year-old boy.
Witnesses in the area told police they saw the SUV in the vicinity near the time of the shooting. Police also recovered a handgun from inside the vehicle.
Investigators learned that the four suspects were at the apartment complex for the purpose of conducting an illegal drug transaction, according to Stephens. During the transaction, there was a physical altercation and one of the suspects fired a gun at the victim identified as Jose Covarrubias, 22, of Wichita.
Martinez next court appearance is scheduled for June 3. Howard's next court appearance is scheduled for June 10. Both are being held on bonds of $250,000. The two other suspects Jaylon Pete and Nicholas Olmos are no longer in custody, according to online jail records.