In the summer of 2017, a young life was cut tragically short in Topeka, Kansas. Arden King, an 18-year-old Caucasian male, was fatally shot on the evening of Sunday, June 25th. The incident occurred in central Topeka, where King was reportedly attempting to intervene in an armed burglary to protect a friend. His actions, described as heroic by those who knew him, ultimately cost him his life.
King was a recent high school student who was remembered by friends and family as a kind and
loyal individual with a bright future ahead of him. He was known for his love of video games, his bond with his mother and younger brother, and his aspirations to attend Washburn for auto tech. His sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through his community, leaving his loved ones to grapple with the senseless loss of a young man on the cusp of adulthood.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement launched an investigation into the homicide. Their efforts quickly led to a breakthrough, and a teenage male was taken into custody in connection with Arden King's death. The suspect, who was 17 years old at the time of his arrest, was booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center.
The alleged perpetrator was later identified as Gage Hauk. He faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault. Another individual, Ralphael Morris, was also implicated in the events leading to King's death and was charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. The legal proceedings that followed sought to bring justice for Arden King and his family, holding those responsible for his untimely demise accountable for their actions.
