In the early hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026, a fatal shooting outside the popular Jayhawk Café in Lawrence, Kansas shocked the local community as authorities responded to reports of gunfire just after 1:50 a.m. at the well-known hangout at 1340 Ohio Street.
According to police and emergency radio traffic, officers were called to the scene where two individuals had been struck by gunshots. At the scene, first responders discovered that one of the victims, an 18-year-old male, had died at the scene from his injuries.
The second victim, a 16-year-old boy, was found seriously wounded and was immediately transported by ambulance to LMH Health in critical condition before later being flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for advanced medical care.
Law enforcement officials described the situation as chaotic, with multiple witnesses at the scene and nearby patrons in shock. The Jayhawk Café — often called “The Hawk” by locals — is a popular college-aged social spot, which likely explains the presence of younger individuals there late at night.
In the hours following the shooting, Lawrence Police Department investigators quickly located and detained two suspects a few blocks from the café. Both individuals arrested in connection with the deadly shooting are 18-year-old males — Daitron Lamont Daniels, from Shawnee, and Caiden Carl Ralph Clem, from Atchison — and have been booked into the Douglas County Jail on various charges including first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault.
Police officials have released limited information while the investigation continues but confirmed that detectives were interviewing those involved and that the scene had been secured by early morning. Authorities also noted families of the victims have been notified, though names of the deceased and the injured have not yet been publicly released, as they wait the legally required 24-hour period before making that information available.
The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed, and police have neither confirmed nor denied whether the incident was random or tied to an altercation that occurred inside or outside the café. As of now, investigators are continuing to interview witnesses, gather evidence from the scene, and work with community members to piece together exactly what led to the gunfire that early morning.
Early Sunday morning statements from the Lawrence Police Department indicated that the investigation remains active and that more details will be provided as they become available. Residents and business owners in the area have expressed their concern and sadness over the violence, especially given the young ages of those involved, fueling renewed discussions about public safety and the impact of gun violence in community spaces.
At this time, officials are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Lawrence Police Department to assist with the ongoing investigation.
