SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent two victims to a hospital in critical condition.
Just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a shooting call at 21st and Maize Road in the parking lot of a Dillons Store, according to officer Trevor Macy.
Wichita Fire Department personnel were at the store when they located an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound. The 18-year-old directed them to another victim, a 21-year-old man who was in the parking lot between two vehicles with multiple gunshot wounds.
EMS transported both victims to an area hospital with critical injuries. They are expected to survive, according to Macy.
Investigators located two vehicles parked next to each other on the East side of the Dillon’s parking lot. Both cars appeared to have sustained damage from gunshots.
Investigators also learned that shortly after 2:00 p.m., one of the vehicles backed into a parking stall on the East side of the parking lot. A man exited the vehicle, removed something from the trunk, then re-entered the car. Later, the other vehicle backed into a stall next to the first one. Shortly after that, gunfire was exchanged between the two vehicles, and three men exited the vehicles and fled into the neighborhood to the east.
One of the three who fled – the 18-year-old – returned to the parking lot, where he contacted Fire Department personnel.
Numerous officers searched the surrounding area for the suspects. At this time, a person of interest has been identified. The two injured victims remain in the hospital in stable but critical condition. It is believed the individuals involved were meeting at the location for a drug transaction.