Security guard shot outside Wichita QuikTrip has died, police say
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Police say a 39-year-old QuikTrip security guard who was shot in downtown Wichita this week has died.
Will Robinson had been in extremely critical condition since Wednesday night's shooting. A family member told KAKE's Hannah Baker Friday afternoon that Robinson was on life support and the family was saying their goodbyes. Wichita police spokesperson Charley Davidson confirmed a short time later that Robinson had passed away.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Robinson's wife and two children.
Sedgwick County Jail records show the suspect, 41-year-old Laroy West, was booked shortly after midnight Friday and is being held on $150,000 bond on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon.
The shooting happened at around 10 p.m. Wednesday at the QuikTrip at Broadway and Murdock. Capt. Jason Stephens said the victim was working as an armed security guard for the QuikTrip and escorted the suspect out of the store for being disruptive.
During a physical altercation across the street, Capt. Stephens said the suspect shot the security guard in the upper body and fled the scene.
On Thursday, Wichita police released several surveillance images of the suspect inside the QuikTrip and asked for the community's help identifying him. He was arrested that evening in the 1800 block of North Broadway while a lieutenant was doing some follow-up on the investigation, Officer Davidson said.
Kansas Department of Corrections records show West has prior convictions in Wyandotte County of theft, burglary, drug sales and attempted aggravated battery. He served several prison stints in Kansas from 1996 to 2012.
Previous updates:
Police are searching for the suspect in a Wednesday night shooting that left a QuikTrip security officer in critical condition.
Just after 10 p.m., officers responded to the QuikTrip at Murdock and Broadway where they discovered a 39-year-old man in a nearby alley with a gunshot wound. The man was taken to the hospital where police say he remains in critical condition.
Police say the victim was working as an armed security officer when he escorted the suspect out of the business after the suspect was being disruptive. The two crossed the street where a physical altercation ensued and the suspect fired a shot, striking the victim. The suspect then ran away on foot.
Police say detectives have spoken with multiple witnesses and have been reviewing surveillance video. The suspect was seen wearing a blue and blue backpack.
“Detectives have interviewed multiple witnesses and reviewed surveillance video in the area. However, we are still trying to identify the suspects. So, any information on the identity or the location of this suspect will be appreciated,” said Captain Jason Stevens.
KAKE News has confirmed the security officer is a former WPD officer.
If you know the identity of the suspect who know where he is at, you are asked to call 911. Anyone with any information on the shooting can call WPD at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
A man is in extremely critical condition after a shooting Wednesday night near downtown Wichita.
Police were called after 10 p.m. to the QuikTrip at Murdock and Broadway. Lt. Scott Moon said officers found a man who had been working at the location in a nearby alley with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital.
Moon said he couldn't release any information on the victim pending notification of family members.
No arrests have been made and police are looking for a male suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Wichita police or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
The Wichita Police Department is expected to release more information Thursday afternoon.