Police: Hi-Crest shootings, including 2 homicides, not believed to be random - Topeka Capital Journal
Topeka police said Saturday afternoon they believe a recent outbreak of gun violence in southeast Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood is related to gangs and drugs. “You won’t see any kids outside,” one man said, saying many other residents were now anxious about letting their children play outside and about being outside themselves. In a statement issued late Saturday afternoon, Brian Desch, deputy chief of police, said police believe some of the incidents are related. “The police department does not believe these shootings to be random,” he said. “We do believe that narcotics and/or gangs are involved in these and believe individuals are attempting to retaliate against one another. About 11:40 a. m. Saturday, a man was fatally shot in the 3300 block of S. E. Humboldt, according to police Lt. Chris Heaven — just yards from the scene of a shooting reported Friday night. Desch said police believe those gunshots were an attempt at retaliation for the homicide. The men told a Topeka Capital-Journal reporter on Saturday afternoon they heard 15 to 20 gunshots from what they believed was a small-caliber. Source: m.cjonline.com
