SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a double murder made another court appearance in the case this week.
David Baeza, 43 of Wichita, is now charged with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of opiate (fentanyl) with the intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just after 5 a.m. July 3, 2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.
During a search of the rural property, deputies found the bodies of 29-year-old Gerardo Ruvalcaba-Ulloam and 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California. deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds.
At the scene, first responders also found David Baeza, 42 of Wichita, on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment and later arrested him.
Initially, Baeza and Joseph Ponse, 43 of Wichita were charged with attempted 1st degree murder in connection with the deaths.
Hieu Luong, 42 of Wichita, was charged with attempted 1st degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Baeza remains jailed on a $500,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.