What Topeka killings remain unsolved in 2024?

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Topeka police responded to numerous killings in the capital city throughout 2024, but which cases remain unsolved as the year comes to an end?

KSNT 27 News reached out to the Topeka Police Department (TPD) last week to learn which homicide cases remain unsolved as the new year approaches. Rosie Nichols, a spokeswoman for the City of Topeka, provided a list of arrests that have been made so far in connection to the various killings that have occurred in 2024.

Nichols said 21 people have been killed in Topeka over the course of the year as of Dec. 16. Police have made arrests in all of these cases with the exception of eight, two of which were classified as murder-suicides. A breakdown of which cases have resulted in arrests and which remain unsolved can be found below.

Unsolved Topeka homicides

• Charles Balocca, 61, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on May 24.
  • 100 block of Northwest 24 Highway.
  • Sixth homicide case of 2024.
• Brian M. Wright Jr., 23, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on June 21.
  • 3100 block of Southwest Westover.
  • TPD reported the shooting as gang-related.
  • One arrest made but was later released from jail.
  • Seventh homicide case of 2024.
• Malik J. Keith, 26, of Topeka.
  • Killed on Aug. 18.
  • 3100 block of Southeast Fremont.
  • 12th homicide case of 2024.
• Peter J. Blancas, 58, of Topeka.
  • Killed on Oct. 30.
  • 500 block of Northeast Gordon.
  • 16th homicide case of 2024.
• Jessie L. Grahnert, 32, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Nov. 24.
  • 2000 block of North Kansas Avenue.
  • 19th homicide case of 2024.
• Lavaughn E. Lewis, 49, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Dec. 3.
  • 2000 block of Southwest 12th Street.
  • 20th homicide case of 2024.

Topeka homicides resulting in arrests

• Gabriel Martinez-Meraz, 33, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Feb. 1.
  • 2100 block of Southeast 12th Street.
  • Three people arrested in connection to this deadly shooting.
  • First homicide case of 2024.
• Reginald D. Privette, 39, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on April 11.
  • 3100 block of Southeast 10th Street.
  • One man arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
  • 27 News obtained court records showing what led up to the shooting.
  • Third homicide case of 2024.
• Ross L. Fapp, 79, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a stabbing on April 16.
  • 400 block of Southwest Woodlawn Avenue.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the stabbing.
  • 27 News obtained court records showing what led up to the stabbing.
  • Fourth homicide case of 2024.
• Cody P. Cooper, 22, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on April 19.
  • 3700 block of Southwest Park South.
  • Three people arrested in connection to this shooting.
  • Fifth homicide case of 2024.
• Steven R. Warden, 43, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on June 24.
  • 1300 block of Southwest Western.
  • One man arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
  • Eighth homicide case of 2024.
• Richard E. Hernandez, 47, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on July 13.
  • 1200 block of Northeast Monroe.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
  • Ninth homicide case of 2024.
• Dedra L. Simmons, 38, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a domestic violence incident on July 19.
  • 1300 block of Southwest Western Avenue.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the incident.
  • 10th homicide case of 2024.
• Earon D. Cooper, 31, of Lawrence.
  • Killed in a shooting on July 20.
  • 2900 block of Southwest Topeka Boulevard.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
• Kyle E. Higgins, 37, of Topeka.
  • Killed during a robbery incident on Aug. 20.
  • 2200 block of Southwest 29th Street.
  • Two arrested and charged in connection to the death.
  • 13th homicide case of 2024.
• Michael Sanchez, 47, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Sept. 6.
  • 1300 block of Southwest Western.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to this shooting.
  • 14th homicide case of 2024.
• David S. Blevens, 46, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a house fire on Nov. 12.
  • 1600 block of Southwest Buchanan Street.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the fire.
  • 15th homicide case of 2024.
• Ricky R. Washington Jr., 45, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Nov. 10.
  • 1200 Southwest Huntoon Street.
  • Two arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
  • 17th homicide case of 2024.
• David Bentley, 45, of Topeka.
  • Killed in a shooting on Dec. 12.
  • 2000 block of Southwest Stone.
  • One arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.
  • 21st homicide case of 2024.

Topeka murder-suicides

• Katelynn M. Herring, 25 and Jason M. Herring, 44 of Topeka.
  • Died in a murder-suicide incident on Feb. 15.
  • 2200 block of Southwest Wilmington Court.
• Monica O'Connell, 19 and Sa Ron Taylor, 20 of Topeka.
  • Died in a murder-suicide incident on Nov. 18.
  • 700 block of Southwest Polk Street.

If you have any information to share with police regarding any of the above homicide cases, send an email to telltpd@topeka.org or call 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be sent to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online by clicking here.

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