On Tuesday, November 27th at 2:57 pm a civilian reported a white male firing a handgun behind the DCF building in the 3100 block of S. Oliver. 911 dispatched the call over the radio and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies along with Wichita Police Department officers responded to the scene.
At 3:06 pm, law enforcement arrived and spotted the suspect North of the DCF building in a creek area waving a handgun. Law Enforcement deployed behind cover in different locations and was able to observe the suspect fire at least 4 rounds in the direction of traffic that was traveling on George Washington Boulevard and towards the DCF building, which was open and occupied, along with the DCF parking lot that had an employee next to their car.
Law Enforcement gave verbal commands to drop the weapon and the suspect fired two rounds towards the DCF building and then started to swing the weapon towards law enforcement. At 3:23 pm, a deputy, who was equipped with a Sheriff’s Office issued rifle fired 2 shots at the male striking him one time in the shoulder area.
A short time later an S.W.A.T. vehicle was used to approach the suspect and safely taking him into custody.
The suspect, Richard J. Gore, age 60, of Wichita, Ks. was transported by EMS to Wesley hospital and was treated for his injury. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident. He may be released as soon as today.
Through our investigation we have recovered 18 shell casings in the area where the suspect was located and other evidence indicates he had the ability to fire more rounds. The handgun was recovered as well. The DCF building was struck along with at least one light pole. It does not appear that DCF was the target of the shooting at this point in our investigation.
When Mr. Gore is released from the hospital he will be booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility for 5 counts of Aggravated Assault LEO, 1 count of Aggravated Assault and 1 count of Criminal Discharge of a Weapon.
We are appreciative of the help we received from the Wichita Police Department and thankful that no civilians or law enforcement personnel were injured during this incident.
Any further comments on this case will come from the District Attorneys Office.