Police arrest Lawrence man on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in toddler’s accidental shooting death

photo by: Dylan Lysen/Journal-World

Lawrence police block off an area near a reported shooting Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in the 1500 block of Wedgewood Drive in eastern Lawrence.

Police have arrested a 21-year-old Lawrence man in connection with the accidental shooting death of a toddler last week.

Patrick Compton, spokesman for the Lawrence Police Department, said in a news release Friday afternoon that Bishop Isaiah Mendoza had been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated child endangerment and possession of a stolen handgun.

The shooting occurred on Sept. 17 in the 1500 block of Wedgewood Drive, as the Journal-World previously reported. Officers responded to the shooting around 10:45 a.m. and found a 2-year-old who was critically injured. The child was taken to LMH Health, but was later pronounced dead, Lt. David Ernst said at the time.

Early in the investigation, Ernst said the shooting appeared to be an accident.

On Friday, Compton identified the 2-year-old as Legend King of Lawrence.

As of Friday afternoon, Mendoza was being held in the Douglas County Jail without bond, according to the county’s booking logs.

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