SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue investigating a gunfight near a bar early on Mother's Day that sent a victim to the hospital and have made an additional arresdt.
On Thursday the sheriff's office reported the arrest of 31-year-old Brandon M. Gehrke of Topeka. He is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.
Just after 2:15a.m. May 14, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office responded to a call of multiple gunshots in the parking lot of Victoria’s Bar, 5011 SW Topeka Boulevard.
When law enforcement arrived, it was discovered that a 41-year-old man had engaged in a verbal altercation in the parking lot with a group of individuals associated with the Hell’s Lovers Motorcycle Club. Several shots were fired.
During the shooting, a vehicle that was arriving at the business to pick up an employee of the business was also fired upon. The driver of the vehicle, a 35-year-old man, was struck multiple times by gunfire, but managed to flee the scene. The vehicle was located a short time later in the 4500 block of SW Topeka Boulevard. The driver was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
In addition, at the time of the shooting, a separate individual that had not been inside the bar and not involved in the original altercation, was sitting in his vehicle in the business parking lot when the shooting began. That individual then exited his vehicle with a firearm and also began shooting at the vehicle that was ultimately located by law enforcement in the 4500 block of SW Topeka Boulevard. That individual was also taken into custody on requested charges of aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm.
On Wednesday, the sheriff's office reported four arrests.
Leon D. Smith-Love I., 28, of Topeka, is being held for aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm.
Kathryn R. Hazelwood, 26, of Topeka is being held on requested charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Charles D. Wheat, 42, of Topeka, is in custody on requested charges of aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm.
Jason M. Blenden Sr., 49, of Topeka, was booked in on an arrest warrant and could face additional charges.
On Thursday the sheriff's office reported the arrest of Storm M. Morgan, 30, of Meriden, on requested charges of criminal discharge of a firearm.
Shawn M. Ray, 39, of Topeka, is in custody on requested charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault and interference with law enforcement.