Officer Involved Shooting

At approximately 0920 this morning, the Topeka Police Department responded to the 300 Blk of SE Lawrence regarding a report of a disturbance with shots fired in the area.

Officers responding encountered a suspicious person in the area. While investigating the individual, officers saw a handgun on their person. In the process of trying to secure the firearm, the individual struggled with officers and attempted to flee. While fleeing from officers, the individual reached for the pocket contacting the firearm, causing the officers to fire their weapons. The individual sustained life threatening injuries as a result.

Officers immediately provided medical assistance and summoned AMR who transported the individual to a local hospital where the subject was pronounced deceased. Identification will not be released until next of kin has been notified.

The individual’s gun was recovered from the scene. All parties believed to be involved in the incident have been identified and the public at large is not in danger.

The investigation remains ongoing. The Lawrence Police Department is conducting the investigation in the interest in transparency and at the request of Chief Kramer. The Shawnee County Sheriffs’ Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol also responded to assist the TPD with the incident.

The officers involved in the incident will not be identified at this time.

More information will be made available when possible.

Contact: Lawrence PD SGT Grady 785-218-0444

Contact for further information: Molly Hadfield, Director of Media Relations 785-368-0991, mhadfield@topeka.org
Thursday, December 26, 2019

TOPEKA, KS – The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center will be accepting used live Christmas trees this year beginning as early as December 26. It is as easy as dropping the tree off at the same location as last year, on the south east side of Gage Park, just east of the horseshoe court parking lot inside Gage Park.
 
When entering Gage Park from the 10th St. entrance, take your first right on Munn Memorial Drive heading north west. Look for the orange snow fence and place your tree in the grass, behind the
“trees here sign”. “There is no need to make an appointment,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “We’ll find them and get them to the animals that can use them.”
 
For the safety of the animals, in order for the trees to be able to be used by the zoo animals, the trees need to be free of ornaments, hooks, tinsel, tree stands and not in plastic bags.
“This allows the trees to be used beyond the holiday season,” said Wiley. “Animals that benefit from them include lions, tigers, owls, mountain lions, giraffes, black bears, painted dogs and many others.”
 
Once the animals have had plenty of fun with the varieties of conifers donated, they will be ground up through a chipper and made into mulch for continued reuse. The zoo will accept the trees through Jan. 8th 2020.
 
Have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year from the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center.