On the late evening of May 24, 2021, a planned robbery during a drug transaction ended the life of 22-year-old Jose M. Covarrubias in Wichita, Kansas. The meeting took place in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 1616 W. 22nd St. North, near 21st and Amidon, after an arrangement on Facebook to buy marijuana for $210.

Luis Martinez-Contreras, who had known Covarrubias since middle school, arranged the meeting with companions. An argument broke out when the group met Covarrubias; during the fight a 16-year-old in the group displayed a gun. Shots were fired about 11:40 p.m. Covarrubias was hit in the back and the foot as he tried to flee and was later found in a hallway of an apartment building, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. A bag of marijuana, an open pocket knife, and a phone were found near his body.

Four people were arrested after fleeing the scene in an SUV: 22-year-old Luis Martinez-Contreras, 18-year-old Nicholas Olmos, 20-year-old Jaylon Pete, and a 16-year-old. They were charged in connection with the killing, including first-degree murder in the commission of a felony.

Did anyone in Wichita recognize Jose or see activity at that apartment complex that night?