SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman who hid from police for 17-days after a deadly shooting is scheduled for sentencing Friday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In March, a jury found La’Niha Banks, 19, guilty of murder in the first degree in the commission of a felony and Criminal discharge of a firearm.
Just after 11 pm May 20, 2023 police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita's Old Town. Upon arrival, officers located 19-year-old Lationna Johnson with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.
EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, accord to Officer Juan Rebolledo.
The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, Johnson started to drive away, but Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.
Banks hid from police who finally arrested her on On June 6. She quickly was able to meet the requirements of a $500,000 bond and was out of custody. After the jury verdict, Banks is in custody on a $1,000,000.00 bond.