In the early hours of a Saturday in Wichita, Kansas, a dispute that began inside a bar spilled out into the parking lot, ending in deadly violence. On January 10, 2015, 32-year-old Quentin Brown, a Black male, was shot and killed outside the Place bar and grill on East Harry Street. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m., also resulted in the death of 28-year-old Andrew Smith and injuries to two other men.
The conflict reportedly started as an argument inside the club between
Quentin Brown, another man, and the eventual shooter. Once outside, the argument escalated. The assailant pulled out a handgun and shot Brown once in the chest. He also shot the 36-year-old man who had been arguing alongside Brown, striking him in the abdomen. The gunman then fired more shots, hitting Andrew Smith, who was described by police as a bystander leaving the bar, and another 25-year-old man who was with Smith. Brown was rushed to Wesley Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries at 5:44 a.m. Smith was pronounced dead earlier that morning.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. An investigation was launched, and authorities noted that the initial argument involved documented gang members from rival groups. A Crime Stoppers tip received via text message led police to a suspect. Two days after the shooting, on January 12, 2015, police arrested 29-year-old Ishmael J. Bryant at a residence on North Grove without incident.
Bryant was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and criminal possession of a firearm. In February 2017, Bryant pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated battery. A judge sentenced him to more than 20 years in prison for his role in the fatal shootings. During the sentencing, Bryant stated he was trying to defend himself, an assertion that was met with anger from the victims' families present in the courtroom.
