Deadly Home Invasion Shooting in Garden City: One Dead, Two Hospitalized; Three Suspects in Custody

A community is reeling after a violent shooting left one young man dead and two others hospitalized in Garden City early Wednesday morning. The Garden City Police Department has arrested three suspects in connection with the incident, marking a grim chapter for the quiet residential neighborhood near the Continental Apartments.

According to official reports, the shooting occurred around 5:30 a.m. on July 16 at the Continental Apartments, 1408 W. Buffalo Jones Avenue. Officers from the Garden City Police Department responded swiftly after receiving reports of a shooting at the complex. Upon arrival, they found a 19-year-old male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to St. Catherine Hospital by Finney County EMS.

However, the scope of the violence quickly became clearer. Hospital staff informed officers that two additional gunshot victims — a 23-year-old male and a 17-year-old male — had arrived at the emergency room via personal vehicle before authorities could reach the hospital. Given the nature of the incident, St. Catherine Hospital was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure to protect patients and staff.

All three victims were later transferred to Wichita for advanced treatment due to the severity of their injuries. Tragically, 23-year-old Brayden Becker succumbed to his wounds. The other two victims remain in serious to critical condition.

The details emerging from the investigation paint a chilling picture. Witnesses inside the apartment told investigators that loud banging at the front door preceded the violence. When the victim opened the door slightly, multiple suspects allegedly forced their way inside, shot the victim, and fled the scene. The nature of the attack suggests a targeted incident rather than a random act of violence.

Through intensive investigative efforts, authorities identified three suspects: Michael Lara (19), Ivan Lara (16), and Isaac Lara (15). All three have been arrested and are now lodged in juvenile and adult detention facilities, respectively.

While the exact motive remains under investigation, law enforcement believes this was not a random shooting, and they are not seeking additional suspects at this time.

In a statement, the Garden City Police Department expressed its condolences to the family and loved ones of Brayden Becker, acknowledging the pain and loss felt throughout the community. The department also assured residents that they remain committed to a thorough and transparent investigation.

Authorities remind the public that the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

This senseless act of violence has cast a long shadow over Garden City, leaving behind grieving families and a shaken community now searching for answers.