Prosecutors charge 28-year-old man in shooting at apartment complex

Douglas County prosecutors say a 28-year-old Lawrence man intended to kill another man as he fired early Sunday at a south Lawrence apartment building.

Authorities allege Sinh Lavongsa eventually was able to hit his target, but not before injuring five other people at The Exchange, 3100 Ousdahl Road.

Sinh Lavongsa made his first appearance in Douglas County Court on Thursday August 5, 2010. Douglas County prosecutors have charged the 28-year-old Lawrence man suspected of firing a handgun and injuring several people Sunday August 1, 2010 at a south Lawrence apartment complex.

“You have six people shot. There was nothing that we believe provoked the incident that justified in any way what occurred,” said James McCabria, an assistant Douglas County district attorney.

Prosecutors Thursday afternoon filed one count of attempted second-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery against Lavongsa.

Lawrence police arrested him Tuesday when they served a search warrant in a residence at Gaslight Village Mobile Home Park, 1900 W. 31st St. The mobile home park is north across 31st Street from The Exchange.

Investigators say they have recovered a handgun they believe was used, and authorities are testing it further for evidence.

Police have said six people were struck by bullets, but none of the injuries was considered life-threatening. Two more people were wounded by debris from the shots, such as flying glass. All victims are expected to make a full recovery.

Police have said preliminary reports indicated the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation earlier in the evening at the residence. Witnesses said there was a party in the apartment that night. Prosecutors did not provide many additional details Thursday.

Lavongsa did not say much during his appearance via closed-circuit video in front of Judge Pro Tem James George. George eventually set Lavongsa’s bond at $250,000, cash or surety. Some of Lavongsa’s family members in George’s courtroom cried when McCabria read the charges.

McCabria said prosecutors decided they had enough evidence to file the attempted second-degree murder charge, alleging Lavongsa intended to kill the man but failed.

“We don’t have any reason to believe Mr. Lavongsa knew the name of the person that he was aiming at, but it was a specific intent to aim at that person,” McCabria said. “Other people were injured when he missed. He hit that person, but he also fired multiple shots that hit other people.”

Prosecutors do not believe Lavongsa has any past convictions. If that is true and if he is convicted, he would face a maximum of five years in prison on the attempted murder charge. He would likely face additional time if convicted of the other charges.

George appointed Lawrence attorney Craig Stancliffe to represent Lavongsa, who is scheduled to next appear in court at 2 p.m. Wednesday in front of District Court Judge Michael Malone.