SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon accused in the Sept. 7, mass shooting at a Wichita night club and arrested in Arizona was booked into jail in Kansas Wednesday afternoon and made his first court appearance Thursday.
Keshawn Dawson, 23 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree intentional murder, 1st degree murder in the commission of a felony, six counts of aggravated battery, and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Dawson is also charged in two separate cases for criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon for an incident on June 15, and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia for use involving an arrest in January, according to the district attorney.
On Oct. 8, U.S. Marshals arrested Dawson in Phoenix Arizona., according to officer Charley Davidson. Dawson is being held on bond of five-million dollars for a shooting that killed 34-year-old Preston Spencer and injured six others with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
At approximately 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 7, officers responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosely. Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims that were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. The investigation revealed Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was forced to leave. Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.
In addition, Dawson had active felony Sedgwick County warrants and was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions, according to Davidson.
Dawson's next court appearance is November 4, according to the district attorney's office.