Jul 12, 2023

Police capture another suspect wanted for Wichita mass shooting

Posted Jul 12, 2023 2:00 AM
Thomas-photo Sedgwick Co.
Thomas-photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the July 2, mass shooting at the City Nightz Club in Wichita's Old Town have arrested 23-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.  This is the fourth arrest of a shooter from this incident. Five days ago police asked the public for help to locate Thomas. Police have not released details of the arrest. He is being held on requested charges of attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

On Friday police arrested 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram and booked him into the Sedgwick County jail for his role in the shooting.

Just before noon Monday police booked 27-year-old John D. Houze for the shooting  as well as a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant stemming from the shooting.

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH

A Missouri man arrested in the case was not charged after the district attorney determined he was acting in self defense.

Just before 1a.m. July 2, police responded to the club in the 200 Block of North Washington, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

There were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.  No one was killed but one person was critically injured.  Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect. He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.

The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police  also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.

The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later Sunday.

On Tuesday King-Ingram was charged with aggravated battery, 6 counts of aggravated assault, 3 counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a city, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney. \ His bond is $500,000. 

Houze was charged on Tuesday with 6 counts of aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a city. His bond is $500,000. King-ingram and Houze are due back in court July 24.

The facts of Thomas’ involvement will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for a charging decision.