OLATHE, Kan. — An Olathe man is being held in Douglas County after Lawrence police arrested him in connection with the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in downtown Lawrence early Sunday morning.
Daileon Maurice Thomas, 23, of Olathe, was taken into custody shortly after 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, following an investigation into the death of Victor Gabriel Moreno, 23. Lawrence police announced the arrest Tuesday and said detectives are recommending a charge of first-degree murder. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, online court records did not show that formal charges had been filed.
The shooting happened shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in a parking lot in the 700 block of New Hampshire Street, just east of Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence. Police said officers responded after a report of gunshots and found Moreno critically injured. Officers began providing emergency aid before Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical arrived, but Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives used public and private surveillance video, license plate readers and witness accounts to reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the shooting. Investigators also recovered a firearm they believe was used in the killing.
Police have released few details about what they believe happened immediately before the gunfire. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive or described what may have led to the shooting. Police did say they have no indication that Thomas and Moreno knew each other before that night.
Authorities also have not publicly said where Thomas was arrested or provided details about the circumstances of his arrest. The timeline, however, moved quickly. Moreno was killed shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, and Thomas was in custody about 41 hours later.
Police initially asked anyone who saw or heard anything in the area to contact investigators as detectives gathered evidence and reviewed video from around downtown Lawrence. By Monday evening, police had identified and arrested Thomas in connection with the case.
Thomas was being held without bond in Douglas County while awaiting his first court appearance.
Lawrence Police have recommended first-degree murder, but prosecutors make the final decision on what charges, if any, will be filed.
If prosecutors file a criminal case, additional information could become available through court records, including a probable-cause affidavit outlining the evidence authorities say connects Thomas to Moreno’s death.
The investigation remains active following the arrest. Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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