Two Police Officers Killed in Topeka, Kan., Suspect Still at Large
Two police officers were killed in Topeka, Kansas while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Cpl. David Gogian and Officer Jeff Atherly were both shot in the head by a gunman who remains at large.
The two men and another unnamed officer responded to the call at a local grocery store in the city when a gunman opened fire almost immediately. The 22-year-old shooter still remains at large, but the two officers were left fatally wounded.
"I don't believe they had any idea this situation was going to go this direction as quickly as it did," Topeka Police Chief Ronald Miller told the Associated Press. "It's clearly beyond words. It's unspeakable almost about why this happens and why this is happening in America at this stage in our history."
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After the shooting, police went on a manhunt to locate the shooter, whom they believe had an accomplice. They found the vehicle approximately 10 blocks from the grocery store but it was abandoned, as was the home at which it was found. Police are still searching for any evidence that will lead to an arrest and have asked for the public's help.
Police have identified the suspect as 22-year-old David Edward Tiscareno, KCTV5 announced. He was driving a 1999 silver Toyota Camry and is believed to be "armed and extremely dangerous."
Cpl. Gogian had been with the Topeka Police Department for eight years after serving in the military, according to CBS News. His son is also a police officer for the city of Topeka.
"He had spent his life in service to his country and in the city of Topeka," Chief Miller said.
Meanwhile, Atherly had just joined the force in 2011 and was "just getting started" in his career, Miller added.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office at 785-368-2200 or the TIPS Hotline at 785-234-0007.
The shootings have touched the community and the police force; an impromptu vigil was held outside police headquarters last night in support of the families.
