Inset: Aidan Sullivan Knowles (Alden Harrington Funeral Home). Background: The Hawk Bar in Lawrence, Kansas, where Knowles was shot to death (KSHB).
Two young men from Kansas are facing serious charges following a shooting incident at a bar in a college town, which tragically resulted in the death of a teenager described by his family as being “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” and left another teen wounded.
Eighteen-year-old Caiden Clem has been charged with first-degree murder, while Daitron Daniels-Strickland, also 18, faces charges of second-degree murder linked to the death of 18-year-old Aidan Sullivan Knowles. Additionally, a 16-year-old boy was injured in the incident but survived. Clem is also facing two counts of aggravated assault, whereas Daniels-Strickland is charged with two counts of attempted murder.
The Lawrence police responded to a shooting report around 2 a.m. on January 17 at the Hawk Bar, located at 1340 Ohio Street near Kansas University. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered two victims alongside multiple witnesses who reported that the suspects had fled. The police quickly apprehended the suspects just a few blocks from the bar.
Emergency medical personnel declared Knowles deceased at the scene, while the injured 16-year-old was transported to a hospital, where he was last reported to be in critical condition.
Details from a probable cause arrest affidavit, accessed by the local NBC affiliate KSHB and the Kansas City Star, reveal that the victims and suspects were part of separate groups involved in disputes with bar staff during a night out. After being ejected from the bar, Clem allegedly fired several shots into the air outside. Subsequently, Daniels-Strickland reportedly used a semi-automatic weapon to fire shots at the entrance, where Knowles and the other teen were located.
In his statement to detectives, Clem denied discharging any firearm or hearing gunfire. Meanwhile, Daniels-Strickland acknowledged firing his weapon, allegedly out of fear, according to police. His lawyer has filed a motion for immunity, asserting that Daniels-Strickland believed he was being shot at when Clem initially fired, prompting him to respond in what he considered self-defense. The motion claims he aimed at a wall outside the bar, rather than targeting individuals.
But Daniels-Strickland also allegedly said that it was maybe a “good thing he caught a body on his first adult charge.” Both are in the Douglas County Jail. They have a court date set for Feb. 10.
Knowles’ father, Bobby Knowles, wrote on Facebook that his son was “simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“We are completely devastated,” he wrote.
Aidan Knowles graduated from high school last year, according to his obituary.
“He was known for his athleticism, and loved playing baseball and wrestling. Aidan excelled at wrestling, in high school he lettered in the sport and he placed 4th at the USA Kids Wrestling Championships in 2025,” the obituary said.
