Three More Arrested In Garden City Murder

Three more people have been arrested in the investigation into a man’s murder in western Kansas.

On Sunday, 21-year-old Karlton Waechter was found with multiple gunshot wounds in Garden City. He later died. Garden City police officers soon arrested 32-year-old Michael George after a foot chase. He was booked on numerous charges including first degree murder.

Police said Waechter was shot during a robbery attempt.

Officers have since identified other suspects.

On Wednesday, officers located one of them, 33-year-old Jeff Rigdon of Garden City. When they tried to take him into custody at an area hotel, he ran, jumped and fence and tried to hide in an unlocked truck but was arrested.

Rigdon was booked on felony first degree murder, attempted felony first degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, felony interference with law enforcement and auto burglary. He has previously served time for numerous counts of burglary, theft and battery.

In the hotel room Rigdon fled from, officers arrested 18-year-old Maricella DeLeon for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Later, the Garden City/Finney County SWAT team served a warrant at 1319 Summit Street and arrested another suspect, 28-year-old Cesar Fierro-Acevedo. Police say evidence was located inside the home.

Fierro-Acevedo was booked for felony first degree murder, attempted felony first degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon.

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One man is dead and another in custody following a shooting Sunday in western Kansas.

Shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, Garden City police officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of East Highway 50. When they arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital but later died.

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Karlton Waechter of Garden City.

A suspect was later arrested after a foot chase. The gun used in the shooting was also located.

Michael George, 32, of Garden City was booked into the Finney County Jail for first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Formal charges are pending.

Garden City Police say Waechter and George were acquaintances, and believe robbery was the motive for the shooting.

George has previously served time for robbery, theft and burglary.