Wichita State reviews Saturday altercation
There are no known injuries.
About 350 people attended the event and no alcohol was served. The event was sponsored by the Wichita alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi as part of their initiatives with the Kappa League.
It was not a fraternity party.
BACKGROUND
The alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi hosted the event for high school youth. The dance/fundraiser began at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in the Rhatigan Student Center.
Those attending the event were asked to provide identification showing they were high school students.
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity sponsors a national service program known as the Guide Right program. Each chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, both undergraduate and alumni chapters, is expected to offer some activities or services under the Guide Right program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character.
Under the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Guide Right initiatives, the Kappa League Program was created as a sustained interaction between alumni members of the fraternity and junior and senior high school students. Students who participate in the Kappa League typically receive some scholarship support from the sponsoring alumni chapter once they enroll in college.
The Kappa League social event this past Saturday night was organized to raise scholarship monies for high school students participating in the Kappa League program.
FIGHT BREAKS OUT
At about 10:45 p.m., fighting broke out inside the building. Additional Wichita State police were called for backup as fighting continued in the parking lot.
Shots occurred in the parking lot outside Rhatigan Student Center shortly before
11 p.m. According to several eyewitness accounts, including some police officers, there were multiple shots fired (two to six).
There were no deaths or injuries.
INVESTIGATION OF SHOTS FIRED BY WSU OFFICER
The WSU Police Department has a standard policy that asks another law enforcement agency to investigate when a WSU police officer is involved with a shooting. An investigation is under way by the Wichita Police Department to determine whether the police officer in question acted within the scope of state law.
Those findings will be given to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office to determine whether criminal charges are warranted against the officer.
Following that investigation, the WSU Police Department will conduct its own investigation to review case facts in regard to the Use of Force policy to determine whether the officer followed policy in discharging a weapon.
The officer who fired the shots is on administrative leave with pay for one week, as per policy. During that time, a critical stress debriefing with a post-shooting mental health assessment will be provided.
UNIVERSITY REACTION
At this time, the university has determined that its policy and procedures were followed in the scheduling and holding of the event at Wichita State.
"It is important that we make our campus and facilities available to university and community groups as part of our mission," said Wade Robinson, vice president for campus life and university relations. "We host hundreds of events each year at Wichita State University and are proud of the safe and secure environment that we provide.
"It is unfortunate that a few individuals acted in a way that could have harmed themselves and others.
"Our campus staff and University Police Department do an excellent job of ensuring the safety and security of everyone coming to campus to attend events, and we are committed to continuing that relationship with our community," said Robinson.
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Contact: Wade Robinson, (316) 978-3021.