Police investigate Wichita's second multiple shooting in eight days

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WICHITA, Kan. - Four people, including a high school teacher, were abducted, taken to a bank ATM and driven to a field where they were shot to death in Wichita's second quadruple homicide in eight days. A fifth victim was wounded.

Two suspects were in custody, Police Capt. Robert Lee said.

''I confess to you I don't understand how human beings could treat each other that way,'' said Mayor Bob Knight, joined at a news conference by four City Council members.

Three victims were found dead near a car in a field near a highway on the city's outskirts, Lee said. A fourth victim died later at the hospital.

The victims were abducted from a home, and police believe they were taken to a bank ATM machine and then to the field, where they were shot.

Police identified the victims as Jason W. Befort, 26; Aaron D. Sander, 29; Bradley C. Heyka, 27; and Heather S. Muller, 25, all from Wichita. The three men were roommates, Lee said.

Police said a 25-year-old woman apparently escaped and ran to the nearest house about a quarter-mile away to call for help. Lee declined to identify the woman.

Augusta High School canceled all weekend athletic activities as word spread that Befort, a science teacher and athletics coach, was among the dead, Superintendent James T. Markos said.

Lee said he did not believe the deaths were related to those of four people found fatally shot Dec. 7 in a Wichita home, about five miles from Friday's shooting.

Three men, including two brothers, have been charged in that case.

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