Two suspects were arrested Sunday following a Saturday night shooting at Veterans Memorial Park. According to a report issued Monday by the Great Bend Police Department, a 17-year-old victim was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Health System - Great Bend Emergency Room where he was treated for a life-threatening gunshot wound. The 17-year-old victim was later life-watched to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, and remained in critical condition Monday evening.
This was the first of two shooting incidents that occurred over the weekend. Detective Heather Smith said they were not related.
Police were dispatched to the park at 4714 17th St. Terrace around 11:51 p.m. Saturday. Officers received witness reports advising that a Dodge four-door passenger car, occupied by two adults and two 17-year-old passengers, was driving through the park when confronted by a blue sport utility vehicle occupied by Ashten Michelle Tracy, 18, and Miguel Alejandro Gonzalez Jr., 20, and a 15-year-old passenger.
Witnesses reported that as the Dodge was traveling south through the park, the blue SUV pulled over and blocked the roadway near 17th Street Terrace. They said the Dodge traveled through the grass along the midway to make an attempt to exit the park onto 17th Street Terrace. However, as the car began to turn onto 17th Street Terrace, Gonzalez reportedly exited the blue SUV and fired a single shot into the Dodge passenger car, striking one of the 17-year-old occupants sitting in the back seat of the vehicle.
Gonzalez and Tracy were arrested at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday and booked into the Barton County Detention Center, each in lieu of $250,000 bond. Gonzalez was charged with attempted second-degree murder and Tracy was charged with aiding and abetting attempted second-degree murder, and interference with a law enforcement officer.
This investigation is still on-going. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department by calling 620-793-4120, or Crime Stoppers, 620-792-1300.
