WICHITA, Kansas — A tragic incident near Haysville unfolded on Monday morning, culminating in the fatal shooting of a man by Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputies. The Wichita Police Department, leading the investigation, detailed the events and circumstances that led to the confrontation.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan identified the deceased as 32-year-old Trey J. Houlden. According to Sullivan, deputies fatally shot Houlden after he pointed a handgun at them during the encounter. The shooting incident began around 5:30 a.m. when multiple callers reported a shirtless man wielding a black handgun in the roadway near 55th Street South and Hoover Road.
Witnesses described Houlden as aggressive, with some stating he pointed the gun toward passing vehicles. In temperatures that hovered around 27 degrees Fahrenheit, four concerned citizens contacted 911, alerting authorities to the alarming situation.
Deputies arrived on the scene shortly after the initial call to find Houlden walking along the road with the firearm visible. Sullivan noted that despite the cold conditions, Houlden continued to walk without heeding the deputies’ demands to drop the weapon, as they followed him cautiously both on foot and in a patrol vehicle.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, deputies eventually called for a less-lethal bean bag shotgun. As the confrontation intensified, they issued repeated commands for Houlden to surrender his weapon. Despite these efforts, Houlden advanced towards the deputies, resulting in an increased sense of urgency.
At approximately 6:09 a.m., deputies deployed the bean bag round, aiming for Houlden’s leg. However, moments later, he leveled the gun at the deputies and fired, striking a patrol vehicle. Four deputies then returned fire, hitting Houlden multiple times. Emergency medical efforts were initiated immediately, including the application of tourniquets.
Houlden succumbed to his injuries less than an hour after the shooting at a nearby hospital. Chief Sullivan displayed a map of the area during a press conference, indicating that Houlden’s vehicle was abandoned prior to his descent into the roadway brandishing a firearm.
Sullivan emphasized that deputies had attempted to manage the situation with care, displaying a calm demeanor and offering to help Houlden. They engaged in dialogue, seeking to provide assistance and resist aggressive escalation.
“This is a deeply tragic situation for everyone involved,” Sullivan said. He added that the investigation findings will eventually be reviewed by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for further evaluation.
As community members process the implications of this event, the focus remains on understanding the choices made by both law enforcement and Houlden in a scenario fraught with tension and danger.