Two men shot this morning in Lawrence
Aerial image of the scenes.
Originally posted on May 19, 2013 at 4:18 a.m.
Lawrence Police continue to investigate after two Topeka men were shot early Sunday morning.
Officers were called to Club Magic, located at 804 W. 24th Street, at 3:41 a.m. after receiving 911 calls reporting 10 people fighting inside the business. One of the people involved in the fight was reportedly armed with a gun. Police responded and learned that a security guard had taken the firearm from the man. The man then left the business before police could arrive.
At 3:51 a.m., Lawrence Police were dispatched to the area 22nd and Alabama Streets following several reports of gunshots heard in the area. This intersection is about three blocks north of Club Magic. At least one caller reported hearing four or five gunshots and a female screaming.
As officers responded to check on the reports of gunshots, one officer’s patrol vehicle was struck by a vehicle being driven by a shooting victim in the parking lot of the McDonald’s, 901 W. 23rd Street, just across the parking lot from Club Magic. The officer requested medics respond and that the driver had been shot multiple times.
Other officers continued their response to the area where gunfire had been reported. A second shooting victim was found in the 800 block of Greever Terrace, which is about four blocks north of Club Magic. Both men were reportedly shot on Greever Terrace. Following the shooting, one of the victims drove a vehicle back towards Club Magic to look for help, his vehicle collided with a Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot.
Lawrence Medics reported the victim found at McDonald’s to be a 27-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the arm, shoulder and “base of the neck”. He was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center with life threatening injuries.
The shooting victim who was found on Greever Terrace was determined to be 33-year-old male with two gunshot wounds. His wounds were said to include on in the foot and a “through and through” to the lower abdomen. He was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas with life threatening injuries.
Fire Medical crews requested two helicopters to respond and transport the victims. Due to weather conditions, no medevac helicopters were able to respond. Both victims were transported by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical ambulance units.
Lawrence Police say they are seeking several persons of interest in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lawrence Police at 785-832-7509 or Douglas County Crime Stoppers at 785-843-8477. Calls to Douglas County Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous. Tipsters with information that leads to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Our reporting partners at the Lawrence Journal-World report that a 22-year-old Topeka man was arrested for displaying a firearm in the bar during the initial disturbance and interfering with the duties of police.
The Journal-World also reports that both victims are Topeka residents. The condition of the 27-year-old shooting victim was said to be in stable condition and improving as of Sunday afternoon. The 33-year-old victim was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, who told the Journal-World that they do not provide information on victims of violent crimes.
Club magic has been the scene of at least two other disturbances involving guns just this year, according to the Journal-World.
The club has previously been called Taste Lounge, Bar and Grill. A 30-year-old, Lawrence man who was working as a bouncer at the club was shot in the parking lot in March 2012.
The activity blogged above was reported as it was unfolding by Operation 100 News. Learn how to receive breaking news updates here. For a full look at incidents from Douglas and Johnson counties this morning, take a look at the Operation 100 News twitter feed using the link above.