On the evening of September 10, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas, a sense of community in the popular NOTO Arts District was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the lives of two elderly men. Warren Eteeyan, a 75-year-old man, was one of the victims in what would unfold as a tragic double homicide. A proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Mr. Eteeyan was known by his traditional name, "Pikitchwano."
His life was one of service, having graduated from the Topeka Police Academy in 1993 and subsequently working as a Deputy for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and later for the Tribal Police. He also dedicated over two decades to the Prairie Band Road and Bridge department. Beyond his professional life, he was a respected figure who enjoyed researching and educating others about his tribe.
The violent incident occurred just before 7 p.m. in the 900 block of North Kansas Avenue. When first responders arrived at the scene of the shooting, they discovered one man who was pronounced deceased. A second victim, later identified as Warren Eteeyan, was transported to a local hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries. The other man killed was identified as 74-year-old Larry Smutney. The news of this violent loss sent ripples of shock and grief through the community, as friends and family mourned the sudden and brutal end to the lives of two of their elders.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Topeka Police Department launched an intensive investigation. A breakthrough came swiftly, aided by a local business that provided security camera photos of a person of interest. This crucial piece of evidence was shared with the public, and with the community's assistance, authorities were able to identify and locate a suspect. On the afternoon of Friday, September 12, 2026, police arrested 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk of Mayetta, Kansas. Wahquahboshkuk was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of two counts of first-degree murder. The swift apprehension of a suspect brought a small measure of relief to a community shaken by the senseless violence. As the case moves forward, the legal process will seek to bring clarity and justice for the deaths of Warren Eteeyan and Larry Smutney, two men whose lives were tragically cut short.
