TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday night in Topeka, Kansas.
The Topeka Police Department (TPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Friday, Jan. 17, at around 9:10 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.
At around 9 p.m., a Topeka police officer initiated contact with a man riding a bicycle in an alley near 21st St. and SW Buchanan St. The man was later identified as Joseph L. Pham-Gardner, 37, of Topeka.
Preliminary information indicates that when the officer returned to his patrol vehicle to check the man’s information, Pham-Gardner climbed on his bike and fled. The officer gave commands for him to stop and chased him on foot. The TPD officer caught up to Pham-Gardner and a struggle ensued. He fell off his bike. The man threatened to shoot the officer.
During the confrontation, the officer fired multiple times striking Pham-Gardner. After shots were fired, officers and deputies from multiple agencies responded to assist. A K-9 officer from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office was deployed so officers could safely secure the handgun near Pham-Gardner and render aid to him. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
EMS transported Pham-Gardner to an area hospital. He was later transported to a Kansas City hospital for surgery. At this time his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating after an officer-involved shooting Friday in Topeka.
Just before 9 p.m., police stopped an individual on a bicycle in the area of SW 21st Street and Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.
The suspect initiated a foot pursuit and shortly after the suspect reportedly displayed a firearm. The officer then discharged their weapon striking the suspect.
Investigators found a firearm at the scene. The suspect, an adult male, was transported to a hospital in critical condition. No police officers or other citizens were injured in this incident.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will investigate the incident. Per policy, the involved Topeka police officer has been placed on administrative leave.