Junction City, Kansas — A quiet Saturday afternoon turned tragic on January 17, 2025, when long-time resident John Day, 66, was found lying in the 300 block of West 4th Street with what police say were apparent gunshot wounds. The call came in around 4:15 p.m., pulling neighbors onto front porches and police into the heart of a stunned residential block.
Officers from the Junction City Police Department arrived quickly and discovered Day suffering from severe injuries. First responders worked at the scene and then rushed him to Stormont Vail Flint Hills Hospital in an immediate bid to save his life. Despite those efforts, Day was later pronounced dead at the hospital, leaving his friends, neighbors, and family searching for answers.
In the hours after, police cordoned off the area and began speaking with people who had been nearby when the shooting occurred. Investigators say they’ve interviewed all individuals present at the scene but have not yet made any arrests. Police have also not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest as of this writing.
Law enforcement officials have been careful to reassure the community. In a statement, the Junction City Police Department reminded residents that there is no known ongoing threat to public safety tied to this incident. Neighbors were told the case appears to be isolated and that their safety remains a top priority as detectives continue piecing together what happened.
The investigation is still active, and detectives plan to hand the case over to the Geary County District Attorney’s Office once their work is complete. Prosecutors will review the evidence and decide whether charges are appropriate. That process, officials said, could take time, and they stressed that no additional details will be released yet.
In the meantime, police are urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small it may seem. People with tips can call the Junction City Police Department directly at (785) 762-5912 or submit information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477.
Across the street from where it happened, neighbors still drift back to their routines. But there’s a palpable quiet, an absence felt in the spaces where Day once walked, waved, and lived. In a town that treasures community and calm, his sudden loss has left an imprint — and a community waiting for answers.
