On the evening of January 13, 2023, in the 2200 block of South Millwood Street in south Wichita, 16-year-old Seaquori Smith was shot while spending time inside a home with a friend. Police responding to a 911 call at about 8:30 p.m. found Seaquori with a single gunshot wound to his upper body. He was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead.

The friend who made the 911 call was 15-year-old Makyh Townes, the resident of the home. Investigators concluded Townes had been recklessly manipulating a firearm when it discharged, striking Seaquori; the two boys were the only people present. Townes was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Seaquori’s family and the community were left grieving after a night that began as ordinary teenage company and ended in tragedy. If anyone has information about what happened that evening or knew Seaquori, please come forward and share what you know.