Devario Edwards was fatally shot late Wednesday night in an officer-involved shooting outside the Spirit AeroSystems facility on the 3900 block of South Oliver Street. The incident involved officers from both the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities report that the situation began around 9 p.m. when Edwards allegedly attempted to shoot an acquaintance at a residence. However, his firearm malfunctioned, and no shots were fired. Edwards fled the scene in his vehicle, prompting law enforcement to search for him based on information from the intended victim.
During the incident, Edwards went live on Facebook, making alarming statements and threatening to provoke a deadly confrontation with police. He also mentioned Spirit AeroSystems as a possible location.
A license plate reader later detected Edwards’ vehicle near the facility. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in the parking lot of Spirit AeroSystems. Edwards exited his vehicle and fired approximately 20 rounds from a rifle, hitting two sheriff’s deputy vehicles.
Law enforcement officers from both agencies returned fire, striking Edwards multiple times. He was pronounced dead at about 1 a.m.
Wichita Police Department spokesperson Andrew Ford highlighted the importance of monitoring social media during the incident. “The suspect’s Facebook Live provided critical real-time intelligence, allowing officers to assess the threat and respond appropriately,” Ford said.
Eight officers—five from the Wichita Police Department and three from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office—discharged their weapons during the exchange. No officers were injured.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has taken over the case, as is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings involving multiple agencies.
Authorities have not released further details about Edwards’ motives or background. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.