Topeka, KS — Another report of gunfire in the Central Park neighborhood has residents asking a troubling question: what the hell is going on? The latest incident unfolded just before dusk, as multiple 911 calls flooded Topeka Police dispatch from concerned residents near 16xx SW Central Park, describing gunshots and a chilling scream piercing the evening air. Witnesses reported a silver car speeding away from the scene as chaos erupted.
One caller, voice trembling with fear, relayed a haunting account: “I heard someone shout, ‘someone shot me.’” Others echoed their alarm, noting the violence seemed to be centered around two notorious drug houses on the corner. Meanwhile, another account detailed a disturbance involving four Black males and the sound of at least two gunshots. As law enforcement continues to investigate, anxiety among residents grows.
In the local “Topeka Police Scanner” Facebook group, a digital town square for residents seeking real-time updates, reactions to the shooting ranged from shock to disbelief. Ali Cleveland, a top contributor, voiced confusion over a laughing emoji reaction to the post about gunfire, encapsulating a community struggling to reconcile fear with a bizarre sense of desensitization to the violence that seems to plague the area.
On September 28, a nearby officer reported hearing five gunshots just a couple of blocks from 16th & Central Park, prompting a rapid response from additional law enforcement. As community members took to social media, user Casey Jimenez urged others to stay vigilant, remarking on the “madness” that seems to envelop the neighborhood. Several others confirmed they had also heard gunfire, with reports suggesting shots rang out closer to the church at 16th & Clay.
But the violence in Central Park isn’t limited to gunfire. On October 8, Libby Marie recounted a disturbing early morning encounter in which a would-be car thief, wearing a ski mask, attempted to break into her vehicle. Her frustrated post questioned the behavior of local youth and underscored a growing fear that safety is eroding within the community.
Tension escalated further with a report from the Central Park Community Building on 1300 SW Clay, where police and first responders were dispatched for yet another assault. A caller stated that a Black female in a red shirt and gray pants had tased a victim before walking toward the pond with another female. This incident exemplifies the troubling trend of violence gripping the neighborhood, leaving residents anxious about their safety and the security of their community.
Earlier, on September 24, gunshots were reported in the 1500 block of Filmore. Timothy DeBusk, a top contributor to the Facebook group, mentioned hearing six shots around 9:45 PM. Others chimed in with varying accounts, suggesting they heard even more gunfire near 16th and Central Park. Queries about whether anyone had been injured drew attention, but responses remained vague, reflecting a persistent uncertainty regarding the escalating violence in the area.
Adding to the mounting concerns, a recent post highlighted a stolen truck from the Central Park area. The truck, identifiable by its distinctive markings, prompted a plea for information, emphasizing ongoing issues with property crime alongside violent incidents. An offer of a $300 reward for its recovery starkly illustrates the desperation felt by residents as they confront the pervasive fear of crime in their neighborhood.
The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty reached a new low with an alarming incident reported on May 2, when a young boy was pushed off his electric scooter by an adult male who then stole the scooter. Although the community rallied through social media, ultimately leading to the recovery of the scooter, this incident reveals a troubling trend of brazen thefts and assaults in Central Park, leaving residents questioning their safety in what should be a peaceful community.
Adding to the string of violent incidents, a recent shooting on Sunday night sent one person to the hospital, further deepening the unease within the community. This latest shooting occurred around 10:30 PM near the 1300 block of S.W. Western Avenue, with the victim arriving at a local hospital with a gunshot wound deemed not life-threatening. The Topeka Police Department is actively investigating the incident, marking yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of violence affecting Central Park. As these incidents continue to unfold, one thing is clear: the residents of Central Park are left grappling with an urgent and unsettling question—what the hell is going on in their neighborhood?
