SEDGWICK COUNTY— The Wichita Police Department is aware of potential confusion around information released about the SWAT activation on Monday.
WPD’s responsibility is to provide the public with verified facts. All information released by WPD is based on the stage of the invesitgation at the time, officer observations, video evidence, and post-incident reviews.
Clarifications:
SWAT entry and surrender
One photo below shows SWAT operators as they are opening the apartment door, making entry. The use of technology to create time and distance is a standard tactic intended to achieve a safe resolution, which occurred in this incident.
Suspect cooperation
Officers and negotiators made repeated attempts over hours to establish communication. The suspect did not comply or surrender until after SWAT made entry and deployed technology.
Victim status
The victim left the apartment before officers arrived.
During the initial on-scene media briefing, police stated the victim may have been inside which was the information they had at that time. During the investigation, police were able to determine the victim left the apartment prior to officer arrival.
Weapon involved
The photo released by police shows the suspect, identified as 50-year-old Amos Small, armed with a loaded AR-15-style rifle. This information was known to officers and directly informed tactical decisions to protect the public and responding personnel.
Scanner traffic is incomplete, fragmented, and often inaccurate as incidents unfold. It is not a reliable or final source of information, and Wichita Police does not base public messaging on scanner audio.
Wichita police remains committed to transparency by releasing verified information.