Matthew Lowry, a 29-year-old White/Caucasian male, was fatally shot on April 23, 2017, in Topeka, Kansas. At the time of his death, Lowry was a student at Washburn Tech, studying automotive technology. He had a passion for working on his truck, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.
On that Sunday evening, Lowry was with a friend when they were confronted by two men on bicycles. The encounter escalated, and shots were fired at Lowry and his friend.
Both men were struck by gunfire. Lowry's friend, despite being injured, managed to drive them to a local hospital. Tragically, Matthew Lowry was pronounced dead from his injuries. His friend survived the attack.
The investigation into the shooting led Topeka police to identify Jihad Keys as a suspect. Keys' arrest and subsequent legal proceedings were part of a larger case involving a series of violent crimes that occurred between 2017 and 2019. In January 2024, a Shawnee County court found Jihad Keys guilty on 11 counts, including the first-degree murder of Matthew Lowry.
The shooting of Matthew Lowry was the beginning of a crime spree committed by Keys. The initial incident was an attempted robbery of Lowry and his friend. Five days after the murder, Keys went on to rob a Mexican taco shop in central Topeka. His violent acts continued into July 2019, when he shot at another man in the same area. The numerous charges against Keys included two counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery. He was scheduled to be sentenced in April 2024.
