In the early morning hours of March 22, 2025, a gathering at a residence in southeast Wichita, Kansas, turned fatal for 24-year-old Demarc M. Burgess, a Black/African American male. A disturbance broke out between Burgess and another individual at the home located in the 14000 block of E. Twinlake Dr., near Kellogg and East 143rd Street. The altercation escalated, resulting in Burgess sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
Wichita Police officers responded to a call for medical assistance
at the residence around 3:47 a.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Burgess with critical injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a person of interest who was known to the victim. Investigators have stated that they do not believe the shooting was a random act of violence. Two days after the fatal shooting, the Wichita Police Department publicly identified 18-year-old Jaden Watts as a person they are seeking for questioning in connection with the death of Demarcus Burgess.
Authorities have issued a felony pickup order for Watts and have released his photograph in an effort to locate him, suggesting he may have crucial information regarding the incident. The police have been actively interviewing witnesses and pursuing leads as they continue their investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter. Anyone with information on Jaden Watts' whereabouts has been encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
