WICHITA — Two people were killed and several others injured Saturday afternoon when a vehicle drove onto a field during a youth soccer event at the Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita police said.
Immediate scene and response
Wichita Police Department officials said they responded to the complex after reports that a vehicle had entered a playing field and struck people around 3:25 p.m. local time. Officers detained the driver at the scene and said the vehicle remained where it stopped.
Captain Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department told reporters there is no ongoing threat to the public from the driver and called the incident "a tragedy."
"This is a tragedy," said Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.
Witnesses described chaos as emergency responders converged on the fenced fields. One parent, Vanessa Trammell, who was at a nearby game when the vehicle crossed into the adjacent field, said people were struck and she feared the vehicle would stop but it continued moving.
"We thought it was going to stop, but then it like kept going," Trammell said.
Casualties and hospitals
Officials confirmed two fatalities at the scene: a child and an adult. A local affiliate reported the victims included a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man. First responders transported multiple injured people to area hospitals; one report noted 11 others were taken for treatment. Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased or further details about the injured.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Injured transported to hospitals | 11 (reported by local affiliate) |
| Approximate time | 3:25 p.m. local |
What officials and witnesses say
Police said two juveniles were in the vehicle when it entered the complex. Authorities have not said how the vehicle gained access to the playing field, how fast it was traveling, or whether the incident was intentional. The vehicle, described by witnesses as a dark or black pickup truck, crossed a concrete runway that leads from the parking lot to the fenced fields, according to reporting from local outlets.
Captain Moses said investigators are working to determine the circumstances and urged the public to allow law enforcement to complete the probe. He also confirmed the driver remained at the scene and was cooperative with officers.
Impact on families and the complex
Parents and children at the complex were left shaken. Video shared by onlookers showed children in red uniforms gathered near police tape and emergency vehicles while first responders treated the injured. Families who were at the fields described scenes of panic as children and parents sought safety.
- Fields at Stryker Sports Complex are fenced and served by a concrete access way to the parking area.
- Officials are investigating how the vehicle breached the playing area and whether any safety measures failed.
- There is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public, police say.
Ongoing investigation
The Wichita Police Department said the incident is under active investigation. Detectives will review video, interview witnesses and examine the vehicle and scene to determine what occurred. Authorities have not announced charges or motives and have not provided a timeline for releasing additional information.
Community members and local youth sports organizations are likely to seek updates from police as questions remain about security at the complex and steps that could prevent similar incidents. Officials have urged anyone with information or video of the incident to contact investigators.
The Stryker Sports Complex, which hosts numerous youth sporting events, drew a large law enforcement and emergency response presence Saturday. As the investigation continues, families and the Wichita community are processing the deaths of two people and the injuries suffered by others at what is normally a place for children's recreation.
Further details will be reported as authorities release them and as the investigation progresses.
