On the evening of July 11, 2021, 14-year-old Madison Elizabeth Parrott was at a house in Newton, Kansas, with a small group of friends when a 16-year-old male arrived visibly intoxicated and brandishing a handgun. Witnesses say he waved the gun around and pointed it at people in the room before fatally shooting Madison. Neighbors and others tried to render aid and called emergency services, but she succumbed to her injuries.

The suspect fled but was arrested at his home the next morning and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and criminal threat. Investigators opened an inquiry into how he obtained the firearm. A judge was set to decide whether he would be prosecuted as a juvenile or as an adult.

Madison, known as Maddie, was remembered as loving, compassionate, outgoing, and talented at art; she was due to start as a freshman at Hesston High School. More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil at King Park. If anyone has information about the events that night or how the firearm came into the suspect’s possession, please share it with investigators.