Lawrence, Kansas — Early Saturday morning, the lively college town of Lawrence was shaken when 18‑year‑old Aidan Knowles was shot and killed outside the Jayhawk Café, a beloved downtown bar known as “The Hawk.” According to police and family statements, Knowles lost his life just after 1:50 a.m., and one of his close friends, a 16‑year‑old boy, was critically wounded in the same incident.
People at the scene told investigators that they heard gunfire near the patio by the westside entrance as the bar was winding down for the night. Officers from the Lawrence Police Department arrived quickly and found both young men suffering from gunshot wounds. Knowles was pronounced dead at the scene, a loss that has left his family and community reeling.
The 16‑year‑old was rushed to Lawrence Memorial Hospital in critical condition and later flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Initial reports said he was alert during transport and received a single gunshot wound to the left chest. By later Sunday, his condition had improved to stable, though hospital and family updates remain limited.
On Sunday, Aidan’s father, Bobby Knowles, shared a heartfelt message on social media confirming his son’s death and offering gratitude for the life‑saving efforts for his other son’s friend. He described Aidan as someone simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and spoke of the family’s devastation. The post also thanked first responders and investigators for their compassion and professionalism during the tragedy.
Within hours of the shooting, police, with help from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Kansas Police Department, tracked down and arrested two 18‑year‑old suspects only a few blocks away from the bar. Daitron Lamont Daniels, of Shawnee, and Caiden Carl Ralph Clem, of Atchison, were taken into custody without incident and booked in the Douglas County Jail. Both face serious charges, including first‑degree murder and aggravated assault; Clem’s arraignment also includes felony murder allegations.
Law enforcement officials described the shooting as senseless, emphasizing the swift work by patrol officers, K‑9 units, and support teams that led to the arrests. Police continue their investigation into how and why the violence unfolded, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The news of Aidan’s death has rippled through the Lawrence community, where classmates, neighbors, and local residents have shared memories and condolences. Friends remember him as a warm, spirited young man struck down far too soon. Funeral arrangements are being planned, with the family asking for privacy as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.
