SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer involved shooting have identified the suspect who died during the 9-hour standoff as 39-year-old Gregorio M. Banuelos, according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stevens.
Just after 1:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home in the the 500 block of N. Milstead in Wichita.
A woman victim reported to police that a relative identified as Banuelos showed up at the home, where he does not live, and was intoxicated and accompanied by his girlfriend.
The girlfriend was asked to leave the residence which prompted a verbal disturbance with the victim. During the disturbance, Banuelos assaulted the victim which caused a minor, visible injury, according to Stevens.
Banuelos chased the victim into a room of the home and brandished a handgun and fired one shot that missed her. After Banuelos fired the gun, the woman and two other residents including a child escaped from the home as they waited for police to arrive.
When officers arrived, they saw Banuelos walk out the front door of the home and he was armed with the handgun, according to Stevens. He made some comments and went back into the house.
Due to the nature of the 911 call, police decided at 2 a.m., to activate the Wichita Police SWAT team along with crisis, hostage negotiators. Investigators also learned that Banuelos was prohibited from owning a handgun due to a felony drug conviction. In addition Banuelos had two felony warrants from 2021 aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat and a weapons violation, according to Stevens. Police also learned that Banuelos allegedly assaulted another family member earlier this month and used a firearm.
The SWAT team and negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the situation and make an arrest, according to Stevens. Banuelos refused to come out of the house and refused to take calls from anyone during the 9-hour standoff.
The SWAT team used a robot to enter the home to survey the situation and make verbal contact with Banuelos. He continued to refuse to leave the home. Police also used a K-9 in their effort to make an arrest.
Investigators were able to determine Banuelos was in a room in the basement of the home and still had the handgun.
At some point, police believe Banuelsos turned electricity off at the home. Later, officers heard a single gunshot and used the robot to pinpoint his location again.
As officers entered the home to investigate, Banuelos emerged from a position in the basement and pointed the gun. The officers responded in self defense.
After an exchange of gunfire, the officers retreated to defensive positions outside as Banuelos continued to fire the weapon. Not long after the officers retreated, Banuelos emerged aggressively from a walkout door from the house into the garage.
Officers acted in self defense and shot him. EMS crews on the scene were sent in to render aid. Banuelos was pronounced deceased.
The four officers involved in the shooting included two Sedgwick County sheriff's deputies and two Wichita police officers. The police officers each had twenty years of service with the department, according to Stevens. The deputies had 12 and 6-years of experience with the sheriff's office.
All four have been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation, according to Stevens. There were no other injuries.