On the late evening of May 24, 2021, a planned robbery during a drug transaction tragically ended the life of 22-year-old Jose M. Covarrubias in Wichita, Kansas. The events unfolded at an apartment complex located at 1616 W. 22nd St. North, near 21st and Amidon.
The encounter was orchestrated by Luis Martinez-Contreras, who had known Covarrubias since middle school.
Martinez-Contreras arranged to purchase marijuana from Covarrubias for $210 via Facebook, with the intent of robbing him of the drugs with his companions. An argument erupted when Martinez-Contreras and his group met with Covarrubias in the apartment complex parking lot. During the ensuing fight, a 16-year-old who was part of the group brandished a gun.
As the altercation escalated, shots were fired around 11:40 p.m. Covarrubias was struck in the back and the foot as he tried to flee the scene. He was later discovered by police in a hallway of an apartment building, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. Found near his body were a bag of marijuana, an open pocket knife, and a phone. The group of would-be robbers fled in an SUV but were soon apprehended by law enforcement.
Following the incident, four individuals were taken into custody. The suspects were identified as 22-year-old Luis Martinez-Contreras, 18-year-old Nicholas Olmos, 20-year-old Jaylon Pete, and a 16-year-old. They faced charges including first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. In November 2023, Luis Martinez-Contreras pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and attempted robbery for his role in the fatal shooting.
