Kansas prosecutors charged an 18-year-old with murder despite the fact that police were unable to locate him.
Jaden Watts, 18, is accused of shooting 24-year-old Demarc M. Burgess multiple times on March 22 after a fight between the two turned violent, according to the Wichita Police Department.
Burgess died later that day at a local hospital, and the man charged with his murder has since disappeared.
On June 3, the District Attorney’s Office for Kansas’ 18th Judicial District filed formal charges in Sedgwick County.
PEOPLE obtained a copy of the filing charging Watts with second-degree murder. Trillian Ross, a second man, is charged with one count each of tampering with evidence and possessing a handgun as a felon.
The charge against Watts comes after the WPD issued a felony arrest warrant shortly after the shooting.
“Jaden is wanted for questioning in this case and may have relevant information,” police stated at the time. “If you have information about his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Investigators.”
A few days later, the WPD released another statement.
“The Wichita Police Department is still looking for Jaden Watts. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact investigators,” the WPD wrote in the statement, which was shared on all of their social media accounts.
Watts has remained at large for more than six weeks since that statement was released.
A Wichita Police Department spokesperson tells PEOPLE that Watts is considered a fugitive rather than a missing person.
