Christian Alexander Santiago, 36, a lifelong Wichita resident and father remembered by family and friends as sweet, funny, loyal, smart, and an excellent cook, was shot dead in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 29, 2023. Police found Santiago in the front passenger seat of a white SUV in the 2800 block of East Stadium Drive; he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the shooting grew out of a planned robbery aimed at a female acquaintance who the suspects believed to be a drug dealer. Santiago had accompanied the woman to a residence where the robbery occurred; she was severely beaten and robbed, and Santiago was shot outside the home. Officers processing the vehicle recovered a handgun on the passenger floorboard, and a digital scale plus a crystal-like substance were found in Santiago’s pocket. The attack was not considered random, as those involved knew one another.

Within days police arrested three men and later took a fourth into custody; all were charged with first-degree murder. If anyone knew Christian or saw activity around East Stadium Drive on April 29, 2023, please share what might help the investigation.