January 3, 2012

Wichita Police said a 21-year-old has been arrested in the beating and stabbing death of a Wichita man. Bradley "BJ" Wellbrock, 30, died from his injuries.

Police received a call of a fight in the 2500 block of West Wildwood. Officers found Wellbrock on the sidewalk with a stab wound. He died at a local hospital.

Investigators said Wellbrock and a friend were walking in the area when they witnessed a man and woman fighting.

Wellbrock and his friend tried to separate the man and woman but were attacked by eight to ten men from a nearby house party.

Police arrested a man Sunday afternoon near MacArthur and Seneca. He has been booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on a charge of 2nd degree murder.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Family and friends gathered outside Mead Middle School Monday night where B.J. Wellbrock not only went to school, but met many of his life-long friends. Those friends say he was one of a kind. Bradley Joseph "B.J." Wellbrock, 30, was a friend to everyone.

Early Sunday morning, police found him on the ground unresponsive in the 2500 block of West Wildwood in southwest Wichita. Witnesses tell KAKE News he was beaten to death.

"I couldn't believe it. I still don't believe it," said Brian Perry, friend. "He was a good guy. He didn't deserve to go out the way he did."

Friends day they can't believe someone so loving and with such a great sense of humor would die in such a tragic way.

"He was always energetic, and always wanted to make people laugh. It was always like being at a comedy show when he was there," said Jamie Wellbrock, sister.

One week ago, that comedy show took place at a Christmas celebration.

"At Christmas, a couple of our family members got guitars. He would randomly go around and pick up guitars and sing while people were trying to open gifts. They weren't even real songs," said Wellbrock.

For family and friends, little moments like that are what made them smile, and always will. They say every time they think about their son, brother and friend, they will never forget what he meant to them and to others.

"He gave the most amazing hugs. I would tell him, 'Son, I know you're going to break my back someday.' I sure wish he was here right now to give me one of those amazing hugs," said Vicki Tate, mother.

"He has been in a lot of people's lives, and they all showed up. That's what you do when you're a real friend," said Wellbrock.

Funeral arrangements are pending.