just sad. this is the 2nd one in the past year or so.
Manhattan, KAN. (WIBW) -- Friends of former Army medic Kevin Cockrum are gathering near the spot where the 31-year-old was brutally beaten to pray that his killers are caught.
A candle light vigil is planned for Sunday night in Manhattan's Aggieville district.
Around 2 a.m. Thursday, officers got a call about a person on the ground in an alley between Bluemont Avenue and Moro Street. That's about a block away from the main strip of bars and shops in Aggieville.
Police found Cockrum unconscious. He was transported to Mercy Health Center with life-threatening head injuries and was then airlifted to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita. Family members say Kevin's father flew in from out of state to be by his side.
"He was in critical condition and kept alive on life support until 8:40 this morning when he passed away. He succumbed to his injuries. He had severe head injuries from the incident," said Lieutenant Richard Fink, spokesman for the Riley County Police Department during an interview Friday with WIBW.
Officials believe Cockrum was beaten by several people but do not know the circumstances surrounding the violent attack. Police could not comment as to whether or not a weapon was used in the assault.
The motive is also unknown, according to police, but they do not believe Cockrum's murder was a robbery-gone-wrong because he still had his wallet on him and other personal items when he was found.
Witnesses told police they saw a white car with three black men inside in the area around the time of the attack. Officers were still looking Friday for a white Lexus with gold trim. Officials say it was spotted speeding away from the area seconds before the call came in to 911 about Cockrum being found on the ground.
Cockrum's family members tell 13 News he was a medic in the Army and completed two tours in Iraq. During each of his tours, he survived IED explosions and received two Purple Heart medals, a Silver Star and an Army Commendation Medal. He was last stationed at Fort Riley and decided to stay in the Manhattan area.
Funeral services for Kevin Cockrum will be held in Alabama. Cockrum is originally from a suburb of Birmingham.
Manhattan, KAN. (WIBW) -- Friends of former Army medic Kevin Cockrum are gathering near the spot where the 31-year-old was brutally beaten to pray that his killers are caught.
A candle light vigil is planned for Sunday night in Manhattan's Aggieville district.
Around 2 a.m. Thursday, officers got a call about a person on the ground in an alley between Bluemont Avenue and Moro Street. That's about a block away from the main strip of bars and shops in Aggieville.
Police found Cockrum unconscious. He was transported to Mercy Health Center with life-threatening head injuries and was then airlifted to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita. Family members say Kevin's father flew in from out of state to be by his side.
"He was in critical condition and kept alive on life support until 8:40 this morning when he passed away. He succumbed to his injuries. He had severe head injuries from the incident," said Lieutenant Richard Fink, spokesman for the Riley County Police Department during an interview Friday with WIBW.
Officials believe Cockrum was beaten by several people but do not know the circumstances surrounding the violent attack. Police could not comment as to whether or not a weapon was used in the assault.
The motive is also unknown, according to police, but they do not believe Cockrum's murder was a robbery-gone-wrong because he still had his wallet on him and other personal items when he was found.
Witnesses told police they saw a white car with three black men inside in the area around the time of the attack. Officers were still looking Friday for a white Lexus with gold trim. Officials say it was spotted speeding away from the area seconds before the call came in to 911 about Cockrum being found on the ground.
Cockrum's family members tell 13 News he was a medic in the Army and completed two tours in Iraq. During each of his tours, he survived IED explosions and received two Purple Heart medals, a Silver Star and an Army Commendation Medal. He was last stationed at Fort Riley and decided to stay in the Manhattan area.
Funeral services for Kevin Cockrum will be held in Alabama. Cockrum is originally from a suburb of Birmingham.
