Wichita police identify man killed in shooting near 13th and Hydraulic

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Wichita Police Department has identified the man shot and killed near 13th and Hydraulic Thursday evening as 55-year-old Anthony Grayson of Wichita.

Officers were called to the American Legion located at 1335 N. Hydraulic, around 7:20 p.m. on Thursday. They arrived to find Grayson with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was not breathing. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

A second victim, a 56-year-old man, arrived at the hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the torso. He remains in serious but stable condition.

Investigators learned that the suspect and Grayson were involved in a fight inside the bar. The suspect then left, got a firearm from his vehicle, and returned. Employees tried to prevent him from reentering, but he pushed past them and went back inside, where another fight broke out. During the altercation, the suspect fired the gun, striking Grayson and the second victim, who was trying to intervene.

Wichita police arrested 52-year-old Darrell Buckner at the scene. He was taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

“This is deeply frustrating,” said Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan. “Once again, someone has lost their life, not because of a stranger, but because an argument between friends turned violent. Every act of violence begins with a choice. When someone decides to bring a gun into an argument, that is an intentional act, and that choice destroys lives, families, and neighborhoods.”

Sullivan added that while the department continues to use technology and community partnerships to identify suspects and solve cases quickly, the broader fight against violence requires shared responsibility.

“We have a 96% homicide clearance rate. Overall, part 1 crime arrests are up 12% compared to this time last year. This reflects our ongoing commitment to victims of violent crimes. But it doesn’t prevent a homicide when the people involved already know each other,” Sullivan said.

“Law enforcement cannot be everywhere,” he continued. “Families, friends, neighbors, and other law enforcement partners all play a role in stopping violence before it happens. When someone decides that they are going out to drink and brings a gun with them, that is an intentional act. That is a choice they made that creates a potential for tragedy.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact WPD Investigations at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

This case remains under investigation.

Case number: 25C187629