They've featured a different cold case each week since late-October. This week, they're asking for tips in a double homicide case from 2009.
Police say a large group of people gathered in the 2900 block of N. Dunham on January 24, 2009. The address was the longtime home of 47-year-old Somphit "Sophie" Makthepharak, who'd passed away on January 15th of that year.
Police say the gathering was the last event in a nine-day mourning period after her burial. Shortly before 9:30 that night, eyewitnesses reported seeing two cars driving slowly eastbound on N. Dunham, then several shots were fired from several weapons in those vehicles.
66-year-old Keo Intavong and 22-year-old Jeffrey Chitanavong were struck and killed. Fifteen others were hurt either from direct hits or ricocheted rounds.
The description of the first vehicle varies, but the second vehicle is described as a light-colored small four-door vehicle.
“We encourage anyone with information about this or any felony crime to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously," said Gordon Bassham, who heads up Crime Stoppers. "By phone at 316-267-2111, by text message by sending their tip to CRIMES (274637) and beginning their text message with TIP217, or on the web at www.wsccs.com. All ways are anonymous and no one will ever ask the name of the tipster."
The reward for information leading to an arrest in this case is doubled to $2,000.
“As a result of the attention given to these cases," Bassham says, "new tips on three of the cases are currently being investigated by Wichita Police homicide detectives. Even if only one of these cases is solved this alone validates the cold case homicide reward program."
