SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon charged in a deadly hotel shooting has admitted his responsibility for the crime.
In October, 22-year-old John Griffin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the February 2024 shooting death of 35-year-old Christopher Harrell and 35-year-old Natisha Phillips in a motel room in 7300 block of E. Kellogg in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just before 9:30a.m. February 24, 2024, police were dispatched to a shooting call at a motel in the 7300 block of E. Kellogg, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.
First responders located the two shooting victims in a motel room identified as Harrell and Phillips both of Wichita.
EMS transported Harrell to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Phillips was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Officers also located a young child at the scene, who was unharmed, and police used resources to address any psychological or medical needs for the child. Subsequent investigation led the arrest of Griffin
Griffin had been in prison for portion of 2022 and 2023 after a conviction for Battery Juvenile Corrections Facility officer, Employer person confined, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. During his time his approximately 18 months in prison, Griffin had been disciplined nearly three dozen times for battery, theft, fighting and other crimes, according to the KDOC.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, according to the district attorney's office.