SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman arrested for a fatal weekend shooting made her first court appearance Wednesday.
Jessica Sanders, 22 of Wichita, has been charged with 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She is being held on a bond is $200,000.
have identified the victim as 64-year-old Mark Howard of Wichita.
Just before 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a larceny just occurred call at the QuikTrip in the 700 block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to office Charley Davidson.
A suspect identified as Sanders had attempted to steal items from the business.
An officer located Sanders walking in the area of Orme and Market Street. As he approached her in his vehicle, he observed Sanders fire a single shot into the ground from a handgun. The officer identified himself and gave her verbal instructions to stop. Sanders ignored the officer and continued to walk away from him and into a home in the 800 block of South Market.
As officers worked to contact Sanders inside the home, they observed a man later identified as 64-year-old Mark Howard inside the home deceased with a gunshot wound to his upper body.
The WPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was sent to the location to assist with the investigation. After several hours, utilizing time, distance, and communication, officers had Sanders exit the home, and she was arrested without further incident.
The investigation revealed Sanders had previously shot Howard one time inside the home, causing his fatal injuries. Officers also recovered a handgun inside the house. Additionally, during the investigation, Sanders continually exhibited very erratic behavior, possibly induced by the use of illegal narcotics.
Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss it on May 7. A next court appearance has not been scheduled, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.