7 March 2024
UPDATE: Lawrence police announced Thursday afternoon that Dawson Edward was arrested in Topeka around noon.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Police Department is asking for help in finding Dawson Edward Paine, the man suspected of killing an 18-year-old, according to Lawrence police.
Paine is suspected of shooting and killing Davin Gregory Kerr. Police say Paine allegedly shot the victim in a neighborhood on Crestline Drive, near Crestline Circle, around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday and then left the area before officers arrived.
Lawrence Police Department is asking for help in finding Dawson Edward Paine
“When I came out here to ask the police officer what was going on, they didn’t really give me any information,” neighbor Ty Jones said in an interview with FOX4 Wednesday. “But all I know is I saw like helicopters and stuff above us, which is something that normally doesn’t happen in this neighborhood, so.”
Jones lives right next door to where Tuesday night’s incident took place.
“I don’t know how to explain it, but it was just like, ‘BOOM,'” Jones said later on, talking about the gunfire.
Kerr died at a Kansas City trauma center Wednesday morning.
Paine is considered armed and dangerous, and no one should try to approach or contact him other than law enforcement.
“The nature of the call’s a shooting, so anytime a shooting’s involved, somebody’s potentially armed and dangerous,” Lawrence Deputy Police Chief Anthony Brixius said in a news conference with reporters. “But because they know one another, we don’t think there’s a danger to the general public.”
Police ask anyone with information on where Paine may be to call 911. You can also anonymously call the Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785) 843-TIPS.
“Our feelings, our thoughts, our prayers go out to Mr. Kerr and his family,” Brixius said. “We do believe that Davin and Dawson knew each other, and while he should be considered potentially armed and dangerous, we don’t believe that there is a danger to the general public.”
Another driver on Crestline Drive Wednesday did not know what happened until FOX4 told them.
“It’s pretty crazy to hear, especially for Lawrence,” Elijah Jacobs said. “You don’t hear these types of things, at least since I’m originally from here as well. This is very rare.”
“Our kids come out and play all day, everyday,” Jones said. “I haven’t heard of anybody doing anything on this street. Although, all of us are kind of like to ourselves, there’s still a sense of community in this community, so I’ve never seen anything outlandish happen in this neighborhood ever, and I’ve been here for about six years.”
Police would not say whether they believe Paine’s still in the area. They also wouldn’t say whether either person involved in Tuesday night’s incident actually lived at the townhouse where it took place.