Students told to seek shelter after nearby shooting early this morning

Jessica Knieff

One person was found dead after Topeka Police responded to reports of shots fired around 12:05 a.m. near campus. 

According to a TPD release, the victim was found in a car in the treeline area of 22nd Park and Mulvane. 

Washburn students received three messages from the iAlert system during the incident. WUPD encouraged students to “shelter in place until further details,” as the suspect may have fled onto campus. This message came at 12:44 a.m.

A follow-up alert came at 1:03 a.m. and gave a simple description of the subject as “male in dark clothes running north from the area of Falley Field.”

A final all-clear message came at 1:41 a.m. informing students that “The suspect is no longer believed to be on campus at this time. There is no need to continue sheltering.”

According to a release from the Topeka Police Department, the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information on this incident is encouraged to call Topeka Police Criminal Investigations Bureau at 785-368-9400 or Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.

Updates will be given as details become available.