Emporia Police are investigating after an incident Thursday night in downtown Emporia led to the discovery of a gunshot victim at Newman Regional Health.
Police Capt. Dave DeVries says officers went to the hospital around 8 pm, confirming 21-year-old Marquise Johnson was the reported victim. Johnson, a senior defensive back on the Emporia State University football team from Independence, was transferred to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka with what authorities are calling serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
According to DeVries, the early investigation had Johnson as a passenger in a car at Fourth and Commercial when he was shot shortly before 8 pm. DeVries says a gun in the vehicle was fired and the bullet hit Johnson.
ESU Football Head Coach Garin Higgins released a statement saying, “We are aware of the situation and first and foremost our main concern is the health and well-being of Marquise. My understanding is an accident occurred and there was no intention behind it. We’ll continue to evaluate the situation as more information comes available.”
There were other people inside the vehicle that went to Newman Regional Health and were present when officers arrived, but the scope of their involvement in this case has not been divulged and their names have not been released.
Emporia Police have seized the gun as the investigation continues. So far, there have been no arrests or formal charges in this case.
If you have information, call Emporia Police at 343-4200. You can also call Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 342-2273 to send anonymous tips, or you can use www.p3tips.com or the P3Tips mobile smartphone app.
