Jhiquez Quez Roberts

On the night of Friday, January 26, 2024, a shooting in Wichita, Kansas, claimed the lives of two teenagers. Jhiquez Roberts, a 19-year-old Black man, and 14-year-old Emoni Spears both died as a result of the incident, which took place in the 5200 block of East Kensington.

The Wichita Police Department launched an investigation that resulted in the swift apprehension of multiple suspects. The first arrest, a 14-year-old boy, was made shortly after the shooting. He was charged with felony murder and one count of a juvenile in possession of a firearm. Soon after, police arrested 18-year-old Hayden Williams, booking him into the Sedgwick County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony.

The investigation continued to unfold over the following days. On Tuesday, January 30, authorities arrested three more male teenagers in connection with the killings. The suspects, who were 15, 16, and 17 years old, each faced two counts of felony murder.

As of late January 2024, five teenagers were in custody facing charges for the deaths of Roberts and Spears. Police encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact the Investigations Division at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips could also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or the See Something Say Something Hotline at 316-519-2282.