SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a violent knife attack made his first court appearance in the case Monday.
Julian Gonzalez, 38, Newton, was charged with attempted murder in the 1st degree, aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just after 6 p.m. Sept. 28, police were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a disturbance at Murdock and West Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.
At the scene, officers located several citizens providing first aid to the victim. Two citizens played a vital role by putting themselves in harm’s way to subdue the suspect which allowed other witnesses to render aid.
One witness utilized her vehicle by driving it toward the suspect identified later as Gonzalez, resulting in the suspect disengaging. Another witness who was carrying a concealed firearm held Gonzalez at gunpoint until officers arrived on the scene.
Investigators learned Gonzalez intentionally used his white 2010 Hyundai Elantra to strike a gray 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by the victim. The Chevy Cruze also had a 28-year-old woman, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy in the car.
Gonzalez then exited his vehicle and began breaking the Chevy windows out with nunchucks. The adult victims were getting the juvenile victims out of the vehicle when Gonzalez began stabbing the 30-year-old man in the lower body, according to Ditch.
A few citizens gave commands at gunpoint to Gonzalez to stop and other citizens provided first aid to the victim until officers arrived. The adult female victim received minor lacerations from exiting the vehicle. All victims and the suspect were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss it further October 17. Gonzalez remains in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $250,000 bond.