Five Topeka Locations Struck in 90-Minute Crime Spree
A terrifying 90-minute sequence of violent attacks across five separate locations in Topeka, Kansas, left two people with life-threatening injuries and a total of 17 victims ranging in age from 8 months to 70 years old, according to details released by the Topeka Police Department and reported by WIBW.
Authorities booked 47-year-old Adam James Schwegman of Topeka into the Shawnee County Jail late Wednesday night in connection with the rampage. Jail officials listed Schwegman as a homeless person.
The sequence of violence unfolded rapidly on Wednesday afternoon, triggering emergency responses across the capital city and leaving investigators piecing together a complex trail of aggravated battery, attempted burglary, and assaults involving victims across multiple generations.
Timeline of the Attacks Across Capital City Locations
The first emergency call came in at approximately 12:07 p.m. Wednesday, when Topeka Police Department officers responded to a reported stabbing in the 1600 block of S.W. Fillmore Street. Responding officers found two individuals who had been stabbed at separate locations on that block. American Medical Response ambulances transported both victims to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Just minutes later, around 12:20 p.m., another possible stabbing was reported five blocks southeast in the 1800 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard, though immediate details on that incident remained limited.
The violence continued at approximately 12:59 p.m. in the 600 block of S.W. 3rd Street, where officers discovered an individual with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. That person was also transported by ambulance for medical treatment.
Less than 10 minutes later, police responded to an aggravated battery report at Ward-Meade Park in the 100 block of N.W. Fillmore Street. Officers found an individual with minor injuries who was subsequently transported to a local hospital by private vehicle.
Suspect Attacks Adults and Juveniles on Fillmore Street
Police records show that the suspect’s path intersected with numerous individuals, including multiple young children and infants who were present during the intrusions and attacks.
At the 1600 block of S.W. Fillmore Street, victims included a 39-year-old adult female and a 16-year-old juvenile male who both sustained aggravated battery injuries. Three other individuals at that location—an adult female aged 63, an adult male aged 51, and an adult male aged 32—were reported unharmed. Charges filed against Schwegman for this location include two counts of aggravated battery for knowingly causing great bodily harm or disfigurement, rape involving sexual intercourse without consent, and aggravated burglary of a dwelling.
At the 1500 block of S.W. Fillmore Street, a 66-year-old adult female was unharmed, leading to a charge of attempted aggravated burglary. Moving to the 1400 block of S.W. Fillmore Street, an adult female aged 37 and five young children—ranging from 4 years old down to a 4-month-old infant—were uninjured during an incident that resulted in charges of aggravated burglary, theft totaling more than $1,500 from a building, and aggravated endangering a child.
The 600 block of S.W. 3rd Street location involved a 50-year-old adult female who sustained aggravated battery injuries, alongside three young children aged 2, 1, and 8 months old who were unharmed. Charges for this address include aggravated burglary, aggravated sexual battery by force or fear, aggravated battery with a weapon, aggravated endangering a child, and attempted rape.
Finally, at Ward-Meade Park in the 100 block of N.W. Fillmore Street, a 70-year-old adult female suffered minor injuries. Charges tied to this location include aggravated battery with a weapon, aggravated sexual battery, and mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person involving physical injury, confinement, or punishment.
Active Investigation and Appeals for Public Assistance
Schwegman was booked into the Shawnee County Jail at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday and remained held there on Thursday as the investigation continued. The Topeka Police Department has urged members of the public to come forward with any surveillance camera footage or information related to the five incident sites.
Individuals with relevant information can contact Topeka police detectives at 785-368-9400 or email telltpd@topeka.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online via www.p3tips.com/128.
