SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly shooting rampage in Wichita last weekend made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.
Jose A. Acosta, 33, was charged with First-degree murder; Criminal discharge of a firearm; Occupied dwelling with bodily harm; riminal discharge of a firearm; Recklessly at an occupied vehicle; aggravated robbery; Armed with a dangerous weapon; aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer; Use of a deadly weapon; Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
On Monday, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter provided an update on a series of violent incidents involving Acosta.
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 on Sunday and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He faces multiple requested charges, including:
- First-degree murder.
- Attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
- Aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.
- Aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm.
- Two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers.
- Felon in possession of a firearm (Due to his prior felony conviction).
This investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to identify and locate additional individuals involved in these incidents. We extend our gratitude to all agencies and officers who responded to this series of violent events and ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (316) 660-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.