DA considering charges in suspected robbery, shooting of LHS students

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office was reviewing Friday’s double shooting case in which two teens were injured, though charges had not been filed late Monday afternoon.

The two suspects — also both juveniles — would be scheduled to appear before a judge for detention hearings before the end of the day Tuesday if they are charged, Cheryl Wright Kunard, assistant to the DA, said in an email. She said the DA’s office began reviewing law enforcement reports and considering charging decisions Monday.

According to Lawrence police, two 17-year-old Topeka residents were taken into custody Friday night and booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of aggravated robbery. Police identified the suspects as Benson J. Edwards Jr. and Sahavione K. Caraway.

The shootings happened just before 4 p.m. Friday at the west edge of Holcom Park, 2700 West 27th St.

The two victims were brothers who both attended Lawrence High School, the school district said. Police said one victim, 18, was in critical but stable condition over the weekend; the other, 16, was in stable condition.

One suspect, Edwards, was an LHS student from fall 2016 until late January of this year, according to the district.

Contact Journal-World public safety reporter Sara Shepherd

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