Crime
Suspect fatally shot by Wichita police after pursuit and armed standoff outside Spirit AeroSystems
During the livestream, he mentioned Spirit AeroSystems as a potential location.
WICHITA, KS – A man identified as Devario Edwards was fatally shot late Wednesday night following an officer-involved shooting in the 3900 block of South Oliver Street, outside the Spirit AeroSystems facility.
The incident involved multiple law enforcement officers from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Police Department.
According to authorities, the events began around 9 p.m. when Edwards allegedly arrived at a residence and attempted to shoot an acquaintance.
However, the firearm malfunctioned, and no shots were fired. Edwards then fled the scene in his vehicle, prompting law enforcement to initiate efforts to locate him based on information provided by the intended victim.
Investigators determined that Edwards had gone live on Facebook, making alarming statements, including threats that he intended to provoke a deadly confrontation with police.
During the livestream, he mentioned Spirit AeroSystems as a potential location.
Utilizing advanced technology, a license plate reader detected Edwards’ vehicle as it approached the Spirit AeroSystems facility. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, leading to a high-speed pursuit.
Edwards eventually stopped in the parking lot of the facility, where he exited his vehicle and fired approximately 20 rounds from a rifle, striking two sheriff’s deputy vehicles.
In response, law enforcement officers from both the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office returned fire, striking Edwards multiple times. He was pronounced dead at approximately 1 a.m.
Wichita Police Department spokesperson Andrew Ford emphasized the critical role of social media monitoring in law enforcement operations.
“It was crucial that officers were able to obtain real-time intelligence from the suspect’s social media activity. His Facebook Live provided vital information, allowing responding officers to understand the threat level and prepare accordingly,” Ford said.
A total of eight law enforcement officers—five from the Wichita Police Department and three from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office—discharged their firearms during the encounter. No officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has taken over the investigation, as is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding Edwards’ motivations or further background information at this time.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.
MOBILE, AL – A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an Alabama bar is claiming self-defense, as new details emerged during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
On February 1, officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Alabama Bar & Lounge.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Hunter Lins and another man had been shot following an altercation outside the establishment.
Lins was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, survived.
Matthew Sanders was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the incident.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, Sanders’ attorney, Jeff Deen, argued that his client acted in self-defense after being attacked. Deen claimed that surveillance footage supports this assertion, showing Sanders being “jumped on” before the shooting.
However, Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, refuted that claim, asserting that the shooting was not an act of self-defense and could have been entirely avoided.
A homicide detective testified that multiple witnesses reported an argument between Sanders and Lins inside the bar near the pool table.
- A bartender allegedly instructed only Sanders to leave the bar.
- Lins followed him outside, reportedly to apologize.
- Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between Sanders and Lins, with Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also getting involved.
- According to Rusty, he attempted to break up the fight, but Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire.
Deen countered this narrative, claiming that Sanders was attacked by the two brothers and was defending himself.
“He got jumped on at a bar. He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight,” Deen said. “I’m sorry someone got shot, but he brought it on himself.”
During testimony, the detective noted that Lins had a beer bottle during the altercation but discarded it before being shot, leaving him unarmed and defenseless.
Harvell questioned Sanders’ justification for self-defense, stating, “If he was able to open his car door to grab a gun and shoot two people, why wasn’t he able to get in the car and leave?”
Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office revealed that after the shooting, Sanders allegedly posted a video on Snapchat waving a gun and saying, “I told y’all to leave me alone… and to quit playing with me.”
Investigators later confirmed that the firearm seen in the video was the same weapon recovered at the crime scene.
During the hearing, Sanders’ defense requested a bond reduction, which was denied by the judge. He remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a $250,000 bond.
The case is now moving to a grand jury for further review.