SEDGWICK COUNTY — Police continue to investigate after a suspect allegedly stealing mail shot at officers during a high-speed chase on Wednesday.
Just before 10a.m. Wednesday, authorities received a 911 call from an individual who was following a vehicle stealing mail from mailboxes in the 1500 Block of North Caddy in Wichita, according to police Lt. Todd Ojile.
The caller reported the vehicle description and tag number to dispatchers. Police were able to immediately identify the vehicle had been reported stolen approximately 4-hours earlier from a convenience store on the east side of Wichita.
The caller followed the vehicle onto southbound 235 from 13th Street, exited at Central and pulled into a business parking lot in the 700 Block of North Gilda. A woman from the vehicle went inside the business. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Elijah Martinez also entered the business a short time later.
When the first police officer arrived, he made contact with the business owner who stepped outside the business. He informed the officer that the suspects were inside the business.
The officer, a 23-year-veteran of the force, entered the business and saw the suspect in a hallway. The suspect pointed a gun at the officer as he entered the hallway. The officer took cover as the suspect fired shots at him and exited the business.
The suspect fired additional shots at officers in the parking lot and ran to the original calling party’s vehicle. The owner had left the vehicle in the parking lot. The suspect took the truck and drove off at a high rate of speed and drove directly at an officer at the intersection of Maple and Gilda. That officer, fearing for his safety, fired numerous rounds at the truck as it traveled westbound on Elm through several yards. The truck hit also hit a fence and stopped briefly.
A Wichita Police patrol west supervisor gave chase in his vehicle and stopped behind the truck. The supervisor exited his vehicle and as the suspect backed up from the fence he attempted to drive toward the officer who fired a shot at the truck.
The truck continued westbound on Elm and eastbound on Central firing his weapon at approaching police vehicles. One gunshot hit a business in the 5200 Block of West Central.
The suspect also swerved his vehicle toward an officer who attempted to deploy stop sticks near Maple and Meriden. Two of the trucks tires were damaged by the stop sticks. The chase at speeds of 80-100 miles-per-hour ended when the suspect crashed his vehicle in a parking lot at Maple and Maize Road. Police arrested him with the assistance of a Wichita Police Department K9 unit.
Martinez had one gunshot wound to the face and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He remains hospitalized on Thursday, according to Ojile. Martinez has two previous burglary convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Police also arrested the woman passenger. She was booked on an outstanding warrant on several counts of theft, according to Ojile.
Two officers who fire shots have been placed on administrative leave. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.
———–
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in Wednesday’s officer involved shooting.
Just before 10a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance in the 700 Block of North Gilda in Wichita, according to Deputy Chief Troy Livingston.
A male suspect fired shots inside a business and then fired more shots outside at officers. Police returned fire at the suspect. The suspect was wounded once in his lower jaw. Police say they have no reason to believe the wound was self-inflicted.
As the vehicle pursuit continued, police believe the suspect shot at an officer near Central and Interstate 235. The suspect also swerved his vehicle toward an officer who attempted to deploy stop sticks near Maple and Meriden. The chase ended when the suspect crashed his vehicle in a parking lot at Maple and Maize Road. Police arrested him with the assistance of a Wichita Police Department K9. The suspect was transported to a local hospital in fair condition, according to Livingston.
One officer was injured at the North Gilda incident. Two of the officers involved in the shooting will be place on administrative leave. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation. Livingston released no additional details late Wednesday.
——-
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man is wounded after firing at Wichita police during a pursuit.
Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said in a tweet that it’s not clear if the man shot himself Wednesday or if it was an officer-involved shooting. Ramsay said no officers were hit.
Suspect in shooting was being followed by witnesses to crime when officers became involved and pursuit began. Suspect is well known to police.
— Chief Gordon Ramsay (@chieframsay) December 27, 2017
Ramsey said the suspect is “well known to police” and described him on Facebook as a “chronic offender.” The man’s name and condition weren’t immediately released. Ramsey said only that the man was being treated for a gunshot wound.
No other details were immediately released