Man charged with murder in connection to deadly Topeka shooting

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Law enforcement officials have charged another man with murder following a deadly shooting in the Capital City in November.

Katie Garceran with the Shawnee County District Attorney's office said in a press release on Dec. 10 that Demari D. Owens, 18, is being charged with murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. This is in relation to the deadly shooting of Ricky Washington Jr. last month.

Topeka police were called on Nov. 10 to the 1200 block of Southwest Huntoon Street on reports a shooting had taken place. Officers arriving at the area found a man, later identified as Washington, dead due to several gunshot wounds. Police also found a second shooting victim in the 1200 block of Southwest Lincoln Street who was treated by medical staff.

Demari was identified as a suspect connected to the shooting following an investigation. Saline County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested him on separate charges on Nov. 11 and took him into custody. He was later transferred to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on Dec. 9.

Police also arrested Du'Jontez J. Owens on Nov. 14 for the shooting death of Washington. He was charged with murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and conspiracy murder in the first degree.

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