Authorities investigate homicide at Kansas fishing lake

COWLEY COUNTY, Kansas – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide that took place Wednesday night at the Cowley State Fishing Lake.

The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate.

Cowley County is southeast of Wichita.

Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Cowley State Fishing Lake. Deputies responded to the Lake and conducted an extensive search with the reporting party in order to locate the victim.

At approximately 8 p.m., they discovered 37-year-old Joel Leon-Santos, of Arkansas City, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Sheriff’s deputies and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted life-saving measures but Leon-Santos died from his injuries. The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at: https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

Also assisting with this case is the Winfield Police Department and the Arkansas City Police Department.

An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.