On May 21, 2020, a drug transaction in the parking lot of a Wichita, Kansas apartment complex turned fatal, claiming the life of 21-year-old Earnest Jefferson, a Black male. The incident unfolded shortly after 5 p.m. near North West Street and West 13th Street, where police responded to a shooting call. Upon arrival, they discovered Jefferson with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the same parking lot, officers found 19-year-old Jahbreel Rounds, also
suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries days later. The investigation into the double homicide quickly pointed to a planned drug deal that had erupted in violence.
The investigation led to two suspects, 18-year-old Preston Reynolds and 20-year-old Missy Barber. Authorities revealed that Barber and Reynolds had driven to the apartment complex to conduct a drug transaction with Jefferson and Rounds. While they were all inside a vehicle, a disturbance broke out, and shots were fired. In the chaos, Jefferson, Rounds, and Reynolds were all injured.
Following the shooting, Reynolds and Barber fled the scene in their vehicle. Shortly after, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Reynolds arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. After receiving treatment, he was released from the hospital and promptly booked into jail. Investigators later located Barber at an apartment complex on South Glenn and arrested her without incident. Both Barber and Reynolds were charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery.
