An 18-year-old man, Aidan Knowles, tragically lost his life in a shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. The incident took place just after 1:50 a.m. outside the Jayhawk Cafe, a popular establishment near the University of Kansas campus. Knowles was in the company of a close friend, 16-year-old Brady Clark, who was also shot and critically injured in the event.
First responders who arrived at the scene pronounced Knowles dead, while Clark was transported to a hospital for emergency medical treatment.
According to statements from his family, Aidan Knowles was an innocent bystander, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. His father, Bobby Knowles, expressed the family's complete devastation in a heartfelt social media post, a sentiment echoed by the family of Brady Clark, who also described both teens as victims of a senseless act of violence. The Lawrence community was left reeling from the tragedy, with an outpouring of support for the victims' families. A GoFundMe page was established to assist with Aidan's funeral expenses.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Lawrence police officers quickly responded to the scene. Based on witness statements, they were able to identify and apprehend two suspects a few blocks from the Jayhawk Cafe. The individuals taken into custody were 18-year-old Daitron Lamont Daniels Strickland of Shawnee and 18-year-old Caiden Carl Ralph Clem of Atchison. Both suspects were booked into the Douglas County jail and are being held on $1 million bonds.
Formal charges have since been filed against both men. Daitron Lamont Daniels Strickland is facing charges of second-degree murder in the death of Aidan Knowles and attempted second-degree murder for the shooting of Brady Clark. He is also charged with attempted second-degree murder for allegedly firing at a third individual. Caiden Carl Ralph Clem has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Knowles' death and two counts of aggravated assault. Both suspects have made their initial court appearances. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
