On the afternoon of May 15, 2023, police in Topeka, Kansas, responded to a report of a shooting in the 3500 block of SW Kerry Avenue. Officers arrived to find Brandon M. Drew, a 39-year-old Black man from Topeka, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital, but he died from his injuries shortly after.
The Topeka Police Department began an investigation into the homicide.
For four months, the case continued until authorities announced a significant development. In September 2023, police arrested Sydney Slaughter, a 32-year-old from Kansas City, Kansas, in connection with the fatal shooting. Slaughter was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.
Following his arrest, Slaughter was charged with first-degree murder and felony weapon possession for the death of Brandon Drew. The case proceeded through the legal system for nearly a year before taking an unexpected turn. On July 17, 2024, court records show that all charges against Slaughter were dismissed.
According to the prosecutor, the dismissal was necessary because newly obtained evidence prevented the state from pursuing a trial at that time. The charges were dismissed without prejudice, which means they could be refiled in the future if circumstances change. As of August 2024, the homicide of Brandon Drew remains unsolved.
