Crime
Tasha Dillard sentenced in shooting death of 7-year-old Davion Gunter
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita woman has been sentenced to more than three years in prison following her guilty plea in connection with the March shooting death of 7-year-old Davion Gunter in the city’s Planeview neighborhood.
On Thursday, Tasha Dillard was sentenced to 37 months in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the fatal incident occurred after Dillard and several other adults left a group of young children unsupervised inside an apartment while they sat outside in a vehicle drinking alcohol.
During that time, a firearm discharged inside the residence, fatally striking 7-year-old Davion Gunter.
Dillard was arrested shortly after the incident and initially faced first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated child endangerment.
However, in September, she entered a plea agreement that reduced the charges to involuntary manslaughter and a single count of aggravated child endangerment.
The tragic case drew significant community attention to child safety and gun responsibility, particularly regarding the dangers of leaving firearms accessible to unsupervised children.
Dillard will serve her sentence in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.