On the morning of September 19, 2018, the life of Zenor Z. Wiggins, a 34-year-old Black/African American male, was tragically cut short in Topeka, Kansas. His body was discovered in a gravel alley within the Highland Park neighborhood of East Topeka. The Topeka Police Department received a call around 10:20 a.m. about a man being down in the alley situated behind the 2400 block of S.E. Michigan Avenue.
Upon their arrival, officers found Wiggins deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly secured the area, marking the city's 15th homicide of the year. It remained unclear how long Wiggins had been in the alley before he was found, and authorities noted there were no immediate reports of gunshots in the vicinity. The discovery prompted nearby schools, including Highland Park High School and Highland Park Central Elementary, to be placed on a temporary "secured campus" status as a precaution. Wiggins, who was originally from Albany, Georgia, had made Topeka his home for the last decade.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement officials appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the perpetrator. The investigation into the death of Zenor Z. Wiggins remains an open and unsolved homicide. To date, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his killing. Authorities, through organizations like Shawnee County Crime Stoppers, continue to seek tips from the community, offering a cash reward for information that results in an arrest. His family has expressed their grief and desire for justice for the father of two.
