A Wichita birthday party on the evening of August 15, 2021, ended in the death of 25-year-old Hispanic/Latino maintenance worker Robertino Gomez. The gathering was in the 2300 block of South Laura, near Pawnee and Hydraulic. Gomez, a father who had recently posted photos with his young son, stepped outside to check on an acquaintance, 42-year-old Marcello Ibarra, who was leaving the party. Witnesses then heard gunfire. Gomez was found outside and pronounced dead at the scene.

Wichita police identified Marcello Ibarra as the suspect, arrested him and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail. He was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a firearm, and had an outstanding Arizona warrant at the time of arrest. The motive for the shooting had not been determined and investigators were still looking into the events that led to the fatal encounter.

If anyone at the party or nearby that night has information about what happened before the shots were fired, please come forward.