10/21/2025
In ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฏ, the Wichita Police Department was notified by Blackwell Police Department about a potential shooting in Wichita, Kansas. Officers responded to the location where they located 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, deceased. The two suspects, James Sawyer & Philip Walls, were taken into custody in Oklahoma.
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According to an affidavit, Wichita Police Officers were dispatched to the area of MacArthur & Hydraulic at about 2:20 a.m. on December 6, 2023. Officers had learned from the Sumner County Sheriffโs Office and Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department that three individuals had arrived at Blackwell Regional Hospital, one suffering from a gunshot wound. After speaking with the individuals, the Blackwell officers believed the shooting incident had occurred in South Haven, Kansas, which is in Sumner County. During the investigation, it was discovered that a shooting had likely taken place in Sedgwick County. The Wichita Police Department was notified, and officers were dispatched to the area of MacArthur and Hydraulic.
The individuals contacted at the Blackwell hospital were a 20-year-old female, 19-year-old James Sawyer, and 18-year-old Philip Walls. The trio arrived at the hospital in a gray Chevrolet Cruze. A Sumner County Detective responding to the hospital noticed the car had visible damage from gunshots that appeared to come from inside the car, as well as blood on the carโs interior. The driverโs side window was also broken out.
Detectives recovered a handgun and other evidence from the vehicle. Using GPS data from a cell phone left at the shooting scene in Wichita, officers were directed to the 1700 block of East MacArthur where they discovered the body of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson in a nearby field. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Surveillance footage from a nearby church showed a vehicle matching the description of the Chevrolet Cruze entering the field around 7:51 p.m. on December 5 with its headlights off. A short time later, several gunshots could be heard, and the car was seen leaving the area.
During interviews with detectives, Sawyer and Walls admitted they had arranged to meet McPherson to purchase drugs but planned instead to steal them and โrough him up.โ Walls said
McPherson began shooting after realizing what was happening, striking Walls in the shoulder and leg. Sawyer then fired his own .38 caliber revolver, hitting McPherson. The suspects left McPherson in the field, and they later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma for medical attention.
Investigators recovered a Taurus .38 caliber revolver from a backpack in the Chevy Cruze and a green SCCY 9mm handgun matching the description they had been given of McPhersonโs firearm. An autopsy later confirmed McPherson died from multiple gunshot wounds.
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Both James Sawyer and Philip Walls were charged with first-degree murder committed in the course of an aggravated robbery. Both men were also charged with attempted aggravated robbery,
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In July 2025 James Sawyer pled guilty to 2nd degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery. In September 2025, Sawyer was sentenced to 253 months(21 years, 1 month) in prison by District Judge Jeff Goering.
In March 2024, Philip Walls pled guilty to 2nd degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. In May 2024 District Judge Jeff Goering sentenced Philip Walls to 330 months(27 years, 6 months) in prison for attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.
Our previous posts covering this case:
Our posts covering this case:
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12/6/23 The Shooting - cutt.ly/seq6Y7so
12/6/23 Suspects Arrested - cutt.ly/4eq6YKvj
5/3/24 Walls Sentenced - cutt.ly/Rr38qVbR
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-Shae & Valerie
