SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue their investigating of the Tuesday afternoon shooting of an employee the Kansas Department of Revenue office in Wichita.
Officer Charley Davidson confirmed Wednesday morning that the suspect Ricky Wirths, 51, Wichita, is being held for attempted first-degree murder.
Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday police responded to report of a shooting at the Department of Revenue Taxation office near the intersection of 21st Street and Amidon in Wichita, according to Davidson. Officers found a 35-year-old employee of the office with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Davidson reported Wednesday that the victim is improving and in stable condition.
On Tuesday morning, the Department of Revenue and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office had been at a home in the 900 Block of West 31st Street North following up on a Department of Revenue investigation. The shooting victim has been part of this investigation, according to Davidson. Tax records indicate Wirths has two tax warrants totaling almost $400,000 related to his construction business, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue.
At 2:30p.m. Tuesday, Ricky Wirths, the individual who is the object of the Department of Revenue investigation, walked into the Department of Revenue office and asked for the victim by name. The victim came to the front of the business to meet with Wirths. As they discussed the investigation, Wirths pulled a handgun and shot the victim multiple times, according to Davidson.
The victim fled back into the office area and the suspect fled in a pickup truck. Officers found the suspect and arrested him without incident near the intersection of 31st North and Arkansas. Police have interviewed multiple witnesses to the crime and have recovered a gun.
Wirths is being held without bond, according to the Sedgwick County Jail booking report.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a man under investigation by the Kansas Department of Revenue is suspected in a shooting that critically injured an employee at the agency’s Wichita office.
Wichita Police spokesman Charley Davidson told reporters that a 35-year-old employee was shot multiple times Tuesday before the gunman fled the scene. The suspect was arrested about a half hour later and is in custody.
Davidson says there was a Revenue Department investigation involving the suspect earlier in the day, but he did not have details.
Police were called at about 2:40 p.m. to the shopping center where the office is located.
The investigation is ongoing. No names or other details were immediately released.
Gov. Sam Brownback released a statement asking for prayers for the victim. The statement also said the office where the shooting occurred will be closed the rest of the week.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a man under investigation by the Kansas Department of Revenue is suspected in a shooting that critically injured an employee at the agency’s Wichita office.
Wichita Police spokesman Charley Davidson told reporters that a 35-year-old employee was shot multiple times Tuesday before the gunman fled the scene. The suspect was arrested about a half hour later and is in custody.
Davidson says there was a Revenue Department investigation involving the suspect earlier in the day, but he did not have details of its nature.
Police were called at about 2:40 p.m. to the shopping center where the office is located.
The investigation is ongoing. No names or other details were immediately released.