The family of a man who was shot and killed by Topeka Police has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. On Oct. 13, 2022, Taylor Lowery, 33, was killed following a domestic disturbance at his family’s southeast Topeka home. According to findings released by the Shawnee County Attorney’s Office on Jan. 25, 2023, Topeka police responded to a call from Lowery’s sister that he was armed with a knife and attempting to force his way into the her bedroom. After barricading himself inside the home, DA investigators said Lowery drove to a gas station where he tried to carjack a woman at knifepoint. There, police shot and killed Lowery after they said he charged at them with a knife. Following investigations by both the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Michael Kagay announced his office would not file criminal charges against the officers involved. Lowery’s family said they have submitted requests to the City of Topeka and KBI through the Kansas Open Records Act for copies of documents of evidence related to the shooting as well as police body camera video of the incident. They only received a two-page redacted standard offense report. The family alleges the officers lacked probable cause to kill Lowery because he did not pose a significant threat of death or serious injury to the officers or the public. They accuse police of using more force than was reasonably necessary and of violating Lowery’s 14th Amendment rights. The family is seeking a jury trial on the matter. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett released the following written statement in response to the lawsuit: “The city takes claims of this nature very seriously. The shooting in question was investigated by the KBI and their findings were reviewed by the District Attorney. The city will vigorously defend the suit and has full faith that the justice system will resolve this matter. Due to pending litigation, and in order to not further prejudice the process, the city has no additional comment.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
