Murder charges filed against man accused in 14th Topeka homicide of 2024

TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – The Shawnee County District Attorney’s office is charging a man Tuesday with murder in connection to a recent deadly shooting in central Topeka.

Katie Garceran with the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office said in a press release that 23-year-old Caleb Horton has been charged with the following:

• Murder in the first degree.
• Discharge of a firearm at a occupied dwelling or structure – great bodily harm.
• Murder in the second degree.
• Felon in possession of a firearm.

These charges are in connection to the deadly shooting of 35-year-old Michael Sanchez on Sept. 6. Horton was arrested by police on Sept. 11 in connection to Sanchez’s death. This marks the 14th homicide case for Topeka in 2024.

Garceran said officers with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) were called on Sept. 5 to the 1300 block of Southwest Western for numerous reports of gunshots in the area. Police learned a body was found in the same area the following day on Sept. 6.

Police found the body, later identified as Sanchez, at the scene. An investigation into the killing moved the TPD to arrest Horton in connection to the crime.

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