Five Found Dead in Wichita Home Tragedy: Family and Neighbors Among Victims
Wichita, KS – In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has rattled the Wichita community, police are investigating a series of fatal shootings involving multiple family members and neighbors. This deeply unsettling sequence began on Sunday, November 10, 2024, when a chilling call was made to Sedgwick County Emergency Communications. The caller reported discovering a man, later identified as 67-year-old Anthony Stickney, suffering from gunshot wounds in his home on the 1700 block of S. Santa Fe. By the time responders from the Wichita Police and Fire Departments arrived, it was tragically too late. Anthony was pronounced dead at the scene by fire department personnel, marking the start of a disturbing evening of violence that would claim four more lives.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Wichita Police Department, soon led detectives to believe that the last known person to visit Anthony was his son, 42-year-old Joshua Stickney, who lived nearby on S. Laura. Police officers proceeded to Joshua’s residence to investigate further, hoping for answers to what initially appeared to be an isolated crime.
Upon arrival, officers observed two people inside Joshua’s home who appeared motionless and unresponsive. This grim sight prompted officers to force entry into the home. Inside, they found a harrowing scene: three men, all fatally injured by gunshot wounds. Joshua Stickney was among them, along with 66-year-old Donald Dodge, a friend and neighbor, and 55-year-old Terry Meyer, Joshua’s live-in stepfather. Near Joshua's body, officers discovered a firearm. Authorities reported that Joshua’s wound appeared self-inflicted, suggesting that he may have taken his own life after allegedly committing the shootings.
Medical personnel from Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services arrived promptly, but all three men were pronounced dead at the scene. The Wichita Police Department documented the tragic incident under case number 24C200384. Investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the violence, which has left the close-knit Wichita neighborhood in shock.
As officers continued their investigation at Joshua's residence, they encountered a new complication involving the care of Joshua’s pet. Authorities received information directing them to another nearby residence on S. Laura, where they could arrange temporary care. When officers arrived at the designated location, they attempted to make contact with the neighbor, identified as 39-year-old Alan Young. However, upon approaching the home, officers saw Alan lying unresponsive inside. Fearing the worst, they forced entry, only to discover that Alan, too, had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward by Wichita Fire Department personnel.
At this point, law enforcement officials have not provided specific details regarding the motive behind these tragedies, but investigators are treating the series of shootings as connected events. While no official statements have been released regarding the timeline of each shooting, authorities are exploring whether the incidents were premeditated or if an underlying family dispute may have escalated to this deadly outcome. The tragic discovery of five lives lost in a matter of hours underscores the severity of the situation.
Neighbors and community members in Wichita have expressed profound grief and disbelief, with many still processing the shock of such violence unfolding within their residential area. Families in the vicinity described both Anthony Stickney and his son Joshua as familiar faces in the neighborhood. Community leaders have called for calm and compassion, recognizing the impact this tragedy has on those who knew the victims.
This devastating incident has also raised concerns about the importance of mental health resources and the challenges that families sometimes face in identifying and addressing potential crises before they reach tragic proportions. As investigators work tirelessly to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths, local organizations and counseling services are expected to offer support to the grieving community, helping them navigate the aftermath of such profound loss.
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay has expressed his condolences to the families affected and assured residents that the department is dedicating all available resources to comprehensively investigate the incident. “Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims,” Chief Ramsay stated. “We are committed to uncovering the truth behind these tragic events and supporting the community in any way we can.”
As the Wichita Police Department continues to conduct in-depth investigations into the cause and nature of these shootings, authorities are urging anyone with information about the events to come forward, hoping that additional witness accounts may provide further clarity. For now, a grieving Wichita community mourns the sudden and tragic loss of five lives, seeking answers in a time overshadowed by sorrow.
