SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the peaceful protests that turned violent on Tuesday and made several arrests.
No officers were injured when police were forced to clear the unlawful assemblies.
Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, individuals began to gather at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.
Initially, the gathering was peaceful, but the disturbances quickly escalated, leading to a physical fight in the street. As the crowd agitation continued to elevate, WPD began to clear the crowd, and bottles were thrown at officers. WPD arrested five individuals for remaining at an unlawful assembly, one individual was arrested for reckless driving, and one individual was arrested for obstruction.
WPD then learned of a gathering at 21st and Arkansas. As officers monitored the situation, bottles and rocks were thrown at them. Also, random shots started to be fired at locations around the gathering. The crowd continued to become more agitated, and multiple individuals began looting the QuikTrip store at 626 w 21st, and the windshield of a WPD patrol car was damaged.
WPD began clearing the unlawful assembly. Random shots continued to occur from various locations around the protest, and one arrest was made for remaining at an unlawful assembly and obstruction.
After the assembly was disbanded, WPD began receiving information of businesses in east Wichita being damaged. WPD began checking several locations. In doing so, WPD arrested four individuals at an east side business. After the arrest of the individuals, officers recovered evidence in their car related to the looting that occurred earlier at QT.
Police arrested 22-year-old Valenthum Ponds of Wichita on requested charges of criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant. They also arrested 21-year-old Tyra Adair of Wichita on charges of criminal damage to property, burglary, resisting arrest, and an outstanding warrant.
Police arrested a 17-year-old girl for charges of burglary, theft, battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest and a 15-year-old girl on charges of burglary, theft, and destruction to property.
WPD continued to receive reports of vandalism and thefts at multiple businesses throughout the city into the early morning.
“We are grateful for those who have held and helped maintain peaceful protests,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “However, criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be arrested. Violent acts and looting will result in jail time.”