14-year-old arrested for fatally shooting two Kansas teens and possessing firearm, probe underway

WICHITA, KANSAS: A 14-year-old has been taken into custody while police continue to look for more suspects in the shooting deaths of two other teenagers in Wichita.

Jhiquez Roberts, 19, and Emoni Shears, 14, were shot late on Friday night, as reported by the police on X, previously known as Twitter.

14-year-old suspect charged with two counts of felony murder

The Wichita police shared the information writing, "HOMICIDE ARREST On January 26, 2024, at 11:56 pm the Wichita Police Department responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington [sic]."

The Tweet further read, "Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims."

After conducting an investigation, police were able to identify the 14-year-old suspect, as reported by AP News.

He was then charged with two counts of felony murder and one count of possessing a firearm by a juvenile. No formal charges had been filed as of Sunday morning.

The Police department posted to keep the public informed, "As of now, the Wichita Police Department has arrested a 14-year-old from Wichita on two counts of felony murder and one count of juvenile in possession of a firearm."

The victims and suspect had an acquaintance

According to the police report, it appears that the victims and the suspect were familiar with each other and had been gathering in the same location when the shooting occurred.

"Our investigation has led us to believe that all parties involved in this incident knew each other and were meeting at the location of the shooting. Violence among youth in Wichita is everyone’s responsibility," stated the police.

The motive behind the shooting is under investigation, and the police indicate the possibility of additional arrests of more suspects.

Police wrote in an additional tweet, "This is still an active investigation, and the Wichita Police Department urges anyone with information about this incident to contact Wichita Police Homicide Investigators at (316) 268-4407. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available."