Long Echo

Reverberations from the Holiday Inn Sniper attack of '76

August 11, 1976. A 19-year-old man carried two rifles and a lunch pail full of of ammunition to the top of the tallest building in Wichita, Kansas. What happened next still reverberates across generations.

Time before. Time Between. Time After. All must be considered.

Long Echo is the story of the Holiday Inn Sniper Attack, what came before, and what continues to reverberate across generations.

Credit: Wichita Eagle

Over the years, Michael Ray Soles sent "audio letters" to late Jail Chaplain Allen. In recent months, Soles agreed to correspond with filmmaker Kevin Patrick Allen, providing a rare window into his life of 49 years behind bars.

Over the years, Michael Ray Soles sent "audio letters" to late Jail Chaplain Allen. In recent months, Soles agreed to correspond with filmmaker Kevin Patrick Allen, providing a rare window into his life of 49 years behind bars.

Hard-charging newspaper photographer Joe Goulart was killed in the sniper attack. His daughter Vickey is among those who've decided "it's time to talk." She reflects.

Hard-charging newspaper photographer Joe Goulart was killed in the sniper attack. His daughter Vickey is among those who've decided "it's time to talk." She reflects.

Allen got his start in Wichita before taking his skills to Sacramento, San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. He credits his late father, former Sedgwick County Jail Chaplain Ralph H. Allen Jr., with his approach to storytelling. It's an approach that combines critical thinking and empathy, a skillset his dad used daily in a dangerous and often uncaring environment.

Allen got his start in Wichita before taking his skills to Sacramento, San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. He credits his late father, former Sedgwick County Jail Chaplain Ralph H. Allen Jr., with his approach to storytelling. It's an approach that combines critical thinking and empathy, a skillset his dad used daily in a dangerous and often uncaring environment.

About the Director

Kevin Patrick Allen is a veteran journalist turned documentary filmmaker recognized for his in-depth research and his ability to uncover untold stories.

Allen’s film Beneath the Shadow reignited public and institutional attention on the legacy of former Kansas City Chiefs star Jim Tyrer, whose life and death were long overshadowed by tragedy. The documentary helped bring Tyrer to the cusp of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration and played a vital role in restoring the public legacy of Jim and Martha Tyrer.

His films have influenced federal legislation and earned praise from mental health professionals. His reporting has garnered multiple honors, including recognition from the California Associated Press Radio-Television Association, NorCal RTNDA, the New York International News Festival, and the Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association.

About the Director of Photography

Derek Landwehr is a historian and documentarian. Studying for his Master of Arts in Local and Community History at Wichita state University. Derek has worked on a dozen film projects helping to tell unique stories covering both Wichita and Kansas. These films include Sod and Stubble, The Contested Plains, and two film collaborations with Humanities Kansas. Derek is also a published author through Arcadia Publishing, helping
to tell the story of the LGBT community of Wichita.

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