Riley County Police Department officers tend to the scene Sunday night in Manhattan near the intersection of Marlatt Avenue and Nelson’s Landing. Two men were shot Sunday evening in the 2800 block of Nelson’s Landing. One was found dead at the scene, the other is expected to survive. (Staff photo by Brady Bauman)
Updated Friday, 1:22 p.m.
Cora Brown, right, with Steven Harris. Police filed a missing person report for Brown Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy RCPD)
The Riley County Police Department announced late Thursday night Steven Harris and Cora Brown were taken into custody by Wichita police earlier in the evening. Harris has been sought by authorities since Monday following Sunday’s fatal shooting in northern Manhattan that left one man dead and another in critical condition in the 2800 block of Nelson’s Landing.
The RCPD announced Wednesday morning it filed a missing person report for Cora Brown of Manhattan.
Police announced Tuesday morning a warrant for one count of murder and another count of attempted murder as issued for Harris. Authorities named Harris as a “person of interest” Monday in connection to the shooting.
Authorities named German Gonzalez-Garcia, 39, of Manhattan, as the man killed Sunday. Gonzalez-Garcia was found dead at the scene. A second man who was also shot was transported in critical condition to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka and is expected to survive. His name has yet to be released.
An interview with RCPD Public Information Officer Alex Robinson from Friday morning can be listened to below:
Friday morning, authorities said Wichita police received information that a vehicle matching the description of one law enforcement officials believed to be connected to Harris was found Thursday evening at a Motel 6 on E. Kellog Drive in Wichita. WPD responded to the scene and were able to determine the vehicle was a match. WPD officers then made contact with Harris and Cora Brown, who were in the motel. They were then arrested.
Harris was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for 1st degree murder and attempted 1st degree murder. Harris’ bond was set at $2 million. Harris remains confined in Wichita at this time.
Steven Harris and Cora Brown were taken into custody by @WichitaPolice earlier this evening. Thank you to everyone who remained vigilant 1/2
— RCPD (@RileyCountyPD) May 26, 2017
And provided dozens of tips to us, and thank you to @WichitaPolice for their help. More information will be released at approximately 6AM.
— RCPD (@RileyCountyPD) May 26, 2017
WPD also arrested Brown on a Riley County District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine. Brown’s bond was set at $20,000. Brown also remains confined in Wichita at this time.
Both Harris and Brown will be transferred to the Riley County Jail. Police say there are no indications at this point in the investigation that Brown was in danger.
Robinson told KMAN Wednesday morning Brown’s Facebook page indicates her and Harris are in a relationship. According to Brown’s Facebook page, she has been engaged to Harris since August 2016.
Harris. (Courtesy RCPD)
According to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, Harris was released from KDOC on May 21, 2015, after serving 14 years for attempted second-degree murder in Franklin County. According to court documents filed Jan. 14, 2008,, Harris was convicted of shooting a man inside a bar in Ottawa, Kan., on Dec. 2, 2000. He was also convicted for drugs found in his home, which was located within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. Harris was on parole at the time of the offense. Harris plead no contest to his charges.
Law enforcement officials told KMAN they first received 911 calls at 5:59 p.m. Sunday. The relationship of the victims is not yet known.
Click image to enlarge.
(Courtesy Google Maps)
RCPD says Harris fled the scene immediately. Authorities insist citizens lock their doors and be mindful of their surroundings.
Northview Elementary canceled classes Monday due to an operation by the RCPD and the Junction City/Geary County SWAT Team in the nearby 600 block of Frey Drive.
At 11 a.m. Monday, Robinson held a brief press conference for media.
Robinson said the operation at Frey Drive was done so in connection to Harris early Monday morning, but Harris was not found. Robinson said police used a robot to smash in the door of a residence and that a search warrant there is being conducted.
Robinson added a white pickup authorities initially asked the public for help in finding has been located and taken into custody by the RCPD. Robinson wouldn’t clarify on the connection of the pickup to the case.
Robinson’s full remarks from the Riley County Law Enforcement Center Monday can be viewed below:
Robinson’s briefing from Sunday evening can also be viewed below:
KMAN will more information as it becomes available.
The post Harris, Brown found in motel by Wichita PD; charges filed for both appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
