Jun 29, 2022

KBI learns identity of knife-wielding man killed by police

Posted Jun 29, 2022 4:55 PM
The officers involved were not injured -photo courtesy WIBW TV
The officers involved were not injured -photo courtesy WIBW TV

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal  officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday in Topeka have identified the man who died as  Christopher D. Kelley, 38, of Topeka, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. On Monday, an autopsy was performed on Kelley, according to the KBI.

At approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, officers from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to the area of 4th St. and SE Holliday, near the railroad, after 911 callers reported that a male subject armed with a knife had threatened them. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and BNSF Police Department also responded to the incident.

Preliminary information indicates that when officers arrived, they located Kelly and attempted to convince him to put down the knife. As they negotiated with him, he cut himself several times with his knife.

Law enforcement officers deployed bean bag rounds and used other less than lethal methods to try to subdue the man. These efforts were unsuccessful and at around 10 a.m., Kelly charged toward a group of officers with the knife. Three officers from TPD fired toward him striking him multiple times.

Officers secured the knife and rendered aid to the Kelly. EMS transported him to Stormont Vail Hospital where he died from his injuries.

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