WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Authorities in Wichita now say a homicide victim found on a downtown street on New Year’s Day was not shot, but bludgeoned to death in a possible gang initiation.
New arrest documents filed by police say a medical examiner found no evidence that Gabriel Campos-Torres, 21, has been shot, the Wichita Eagle reported. Instead, his death was ruled the result of blunt force injuries to the torso.
Police had issued public statements that Campos-Torres had been shot. But officials now say what appeared to have been a gunshot wound on the left side of his mouth was a cut that had torn through his cheek. Campos-Torres also suffered a “severe laceration of the liver” and significant internal bleeding.
Three people have been charged in Campos-Torres’ death. Police say they followed a trail of blood from where Campos-Torres was found to a house with known gang ties. Investigators say Campos-Torres’ blood was found inside the home, as was his cellphone.
Police said they also have surveillance video and social media message between the Campos-Torres and at least one person arrested.
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