SHAWNEE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has released the name of the woman killed in an officer-involved shooting on Thursday in Topeka.
The woman was identified as Jessica Treat, 41, of Topeka.
Just before 6a.m. Thursday, a police officer responded to investigate a disabled vehicle in the 500 Block of South Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.
At 6:25a.m. the day shift officer arrived to take over watch of the vehicle while waiting for it to be towed from the road.
Just after 7a.m., the officer noticed another vehicle driving erratically crash into a curb nearby. A woman, later identified as Treat, exited the vehicle armed with a knife. Treat, carrying the knife ran toward a bystander. The officer on scene gave commands for her to drop the knife. She briefly dropped the knife and then pickup it up and ran toward the bystander.
After disobeying commands from the police officer to drop the knife. Treat ran into the Townsite Tower building, 504 South Kansas Avenue and threatened another individual with the knife. The officer discharged their weapon and struck Treat.
First aid was rendered but Treat was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation.
Preliminary information indicates there is no known connection between Treat, the person working on the disabled vehicle or the bystander inside the building.
The Topeka police officer has been placed on administrative leave.