SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent Monday night and have released video of the alleged shooter.
According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night.
"What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey. "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."
Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey.
"Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."
In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle.
Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.
Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.
Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse. Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.
"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said.
"Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."