In the spring of 2026, a young man's life was cut short in Topeka, Kansas. Devin David-Lee Hoadley, a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on the afternoon of Monday, April 13, 2026. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Southeast 29th Street, a location that would soon become the focal point of a homicide investigation. First responders were dispatched to the scene following a report of a shooting.
Upon their arrival, they discovered that Hoadley had sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel from American Medical Response quickly transported Hoadley to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, the injuries proved to be too severe, and he was pronounced dead. The Topeka Police Department promptly launched an investigation into the city's third homicide of the year, identifying Hoadley as the victim.
In the days following the shooting, law enforcement officials began a search for a person of interest. The Topeka Police Department publicly identified 20-year-old Tayvian Smith as the individual they were seeking in connection with Hoadley's death. Their search for Smith continued for approximately two weeks.
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the investigation led to a significant development. The Topeka Police Department announced that Tayvian Smith had been taken into custody. Smith was subsequently booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. He faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery for his alleged role in the shooting death of Devin David-Lee Hoadley.
