WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita Police Department detectives have conducted nearly 50 interviews and continue examining vehicle evidence as they investigate the Oct. 17 incident at Stryker Sports Complex that killed two people and injured 10 others.
Two lives were lost, and families have been forever changed. The impact reaches beyond those directly involved to witnesses, first responders and the broader community. We understand that families and our community want answers. Investigators are working to establish what happened through a thorough review of the available evidence.
At approximately 3:25 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received multiple 911 calls reporting that a truck had driven onto a soccer field during a match. Wichita police officers, Sedgwick County EMS and Wichita Fire Department personnel responded.
Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both of McPherson, died at the scene. Ten other people, ranging in age from 5 to 68, were injured and transported to area hospitals. We are not providing an update on the surviving victim’s conditions at this time.
Detectives interviewed nearly 50 witnesses and others involved, with additional interviews ongoing. Investigators are also inspecting the truck, analyzing available vehicle data and continuing investigative work at Stryker Sports Complex. They are working closely with the Regional Forensic Science Center and awaiting official, peer-reviewed toxicology results.
The driver, a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, remained at the scene and cooperated with officers when they arrived. She continues to cooperate with investigators.
Based on the information available Sunday morning, and after consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, investigators did not have probable cause to arrest the driver. She was released, and the investigation remains ongoing. Her release does not represent a final determination about whether criminal charges are appropriate.
“We know that this case has captured the attention of people all over the country, and many of those people have strong opinions about the incident even though they do not have direct knowledge of what occurred,” Chief Joe Sullivan said. “We recognize that the decision the law and constitution required us to make on Sunday morning may not be popular. We swear an oath to support the laws of the State of Kansas and the Constitution of the United States and no one in the Wichita Police Department takes that oath for granted.”
WPD is also addressing false claims circulating online and in news coverage. Based on information available to investigators, claims that the driver is in the country illegally are false. Additionally, she and her husband are not, and have never been, associated with the Wichita Police Department, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, or any other law enforcement agency that we are currently aware of. Investigators have found no documented criminal history for the driver. She had a valid driver’s license and no outstanding arrest warrants.
WPD has not publicly identified the driver. Consistent with its practice, the department does not identify people involved in investigations who have not been arrested or charged.
We understand the public’s interest and the concern surrounding this investigation. But spreading rumors and unverified accusations adds confusion, causes further pain for grieving families and harms people who have no connection to this case. We ask the public to rely on WPD’s official updates for confirmed information about the investigation.
The department remains focused on the victims, their families and a complete investigation. Detectives will provide their findings to the District Attorney’s Office for a determination of whether criminal charges are appropriate.
Additional information may be released after the district attorney makes a formal charging decision.