Sep 14, 2021

Woman in fatal Kan. hit-and-run shooting due back in court

Posted Sep 14, 2021 3:07 PM
Blackmon photo Sedgwick Co.
Blackmon photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused of a fatal hit and run shooting is scheduled for another court appearance Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

Charity Blackmon, 31, is charged with Murder in the 1st degree and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and is due to attend a hearing on the status of her case.  In July she was found competent to stand trial, according to the district attorney's office.

Police at the scene of the investigation on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH
Police at the scene of the investigation on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH

On March 26, police were dispatched to 13th Street North and Oliver Avenue in Wichita for a shooting call, according to officer Paul Cruz. Upon arriving, they located 54-year-old Merrill Rabus of Wichita unconscious and receiving life-saving measures.

Rabus had undetermined injuries, including what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The investigation revealed Rabus was on his bicycle at the intersection of 13th Street North and Oliver Avenue when he was struck by a white Plymouth van driven by 31-year-old Charity Blackmon.

Blackmon then got out of her vehicle and fired a shot from a handgun, striking Rabus. Blackmon fled the scene and was followed by witnesses who provided her location. She was located and arrested at 14th Street North and Green Street by a Wichita State University police officer, according to Cruz.

Blackmon and Rabus were not known to each other. Officers also recovered a handgun through this investigation. 

Blackmon is no longer in custody after posting bond this summer.

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