Family demands charges after Wichita officers shoot man during disturbance call
By KAKE Staff
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WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — A family is demanding justice for a Wichita man who was fatally shot by police officers earlier this year.
Wichita police officers shot and killed 27-year-old Deaundre Hill while responding to a disturbance call at an apartment in northeast Wichita in January.
Police said officers identified themselves multiple times outside the apartment and that Hill threatened to get his gun and shoot the officers.
Police then said Hill came out of the apartment with a gun and pointed it at an officer and that’s when officers returned fire with nine shots. Hill was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
At the time of the shooting, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan called the shooting an unfortunate incident.
“They were simply attempting to make communication with the people inside the apartment to ensure that everyone inside was safe,” Sullivan told reporters. “If you have any concerns about who’s out in the hallway, you can always call 911 and confirm that it’s us.”
Hill’s family and friends on Sunday shared memories of him as a musician, a man of faith and a light in their lives at a special meeting.
The host of the meeting, Helen Reicher, runs a page called Exposing Wichita, focused on government accountability.
Reicher says Hill’s case conflicts with WPD training and protocols.
“It’s about seeking the truth, to find out what happened here. to hold officers accountable when they need to be held accountable,” Reicher said. “This was supposed to have changed. There are things that are supposed to have changed in 2023 when they implemented their new policies and procedures.”
The Wichita Police Department says Hill had several misdemeanors, but no felonies and could legally own a firearm.
The Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board says the Hill family wants a full investigation into Hill’s death and for the District Attorney to bring charges.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and the District Attorney will review the case.
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