Thirtieth Anniversary Of The Holiday Inn Sniper Shooting

August 11 – The Holiday Inn in downtown Wichita was a much different scene 30 years ago. Twenty-six floors above, a teenager opens fire on the crowded streets below.

“You really don't know what makes somebody like that tick,” said Retired Sheriff Mike Hill.

Mike Hill fired the shot that ended the panic downtown on August 11, 1976, “he actually carried his weapons into the lobby, but back then people weren't as concerned as they are today.”

At 3 in the afternoon gunfire erupts from the southeast balcony of the old Holiday Inn. In just eleven minutes, 3 people are dead at least 8 more injured.

The gunman was a 19-year old Michael Soles. A failed romance believed to be his trigger.

The room Soles chooses has a perfect view of busy downtown Wichita, number 2608, now a private residence.

The old hotel is a work in progress today; managers are turning it into condos and apartments.
History is part of the building's lure, but many unaware it still carries reminders of that violent day such as a remaining bullet hole.

Hill and his crew fired through the window of a room adjoining Soles’. Riddled with buckshot, Soles was captured and in handcuffs before they even put him in an ambulance.

Today, soles is in the El Dorado Prison, serving three life terms. He was convicted '77 on 12 charges, including three for first-degree murder.

Retired Sheriff Mike Hill says he personally doesn’t think Soles should ever be paroled.
But the option is soon available; Soles will be eligible for parole in less than a year.
However, victims and their families are expected to fight to keep him behind bars.