Updates at 8:52 a.m. with statement from Salina Police Department:
On Friday, November 30, 2018 at approximately 3:43 a.m., officers were dispatched to 703 State Street reference a call of shots fired. Upon entering the residence, officers found 30-year-old Justin Willingham of Salina had been shot. Willingham was pronounced dead at the scene by Salina Fire Department EMS.
Detectives began interviewing witnesses who were inside the residence at the time of shooting. Through the course of the investigation detectives were able to develop a suspect, Mika Thille, a 25-year-old male from Downs, Kansas. Late Friday afternoon, Thille was brought to the police department by an acquaintance.
At approximately 9:15 p.m. on Friday night, Thille was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree; In the Commission of a Felony, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Burglary.
We would like to thank the public for their assistance in clearing this case. The case is still under investigation and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210.
According to the jail booking report from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Saturday morning, a man who Friday was being considered a person of interest in a homicide case, has been booked into jail on murder charges.
Mika Lee Thille, 25, of Downs, Kansas, was booked into the Saline County Jail Friday evening on the following charges.
- Murder in 1st degree; In the commission of felony
- Murder in the 2nd degree; Intentional
- Aggravated robbery
- Agg Burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, sex
According to reports from Salina Police on Friday, Thille was one of two persons of interest in the shooting incident at 703 State Street early Friday morning in which a 30-year-old man was killed. It was the first homicide in Salina in 2018, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Friday.
The other person of interest was Valerie Ann Vogel, who was not listed on the Saturday morning booking report.
Salina Post will have more information as it becomes available.