“The Wichita Branch NAACP is deeply saddened by the recent death of 17-year-old, community member Cedric “CJ” Lofton, who lost his life while in the custody of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department on the 26th of September in the Juvenile Intake Assessment Center (JIAC). While we mourn with the Lofton family and Wichita community at large, we demand a transparent investigation of this matter immediately, including a thorough external investigation, an autopsy to determine precise cause of death, and a toxicology report by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Complete and accurate facts surrounding Lofton’s death are essential to ensuring accountability and providing closure to his family. Failure to properly respond to situations involving youth with potential mental health issues in our city have resulted in deaths that could have been avoided. This is not the first time this has happened in Wichita, but the Wichita Branch NAACP seeks to ensure that it is the last.

We need to take a critical look at our existing processes and make changes immediately for the welfare of our community as a whole. The Wichita Branch NAACP, the Greater Wichita Ministerial League, the Lofton family, our coalition of community organizations, and concerned citizens demand a constructive response by our government officials to this tragic incident.”

Wichita Branch NAACP #4043, Larry Burks, President

Greater Wichita Ministerial League, Pastor Carl Kirkendoll, President