Sep 30, 2022

Police ID Kan. homicide victim that led to gunfight with suspect

Posted Sep 30, 2022 4:00 PM
Police on the scene of the homicide investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV
Police on the scene of the homicide investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal shooting at a Kansas home that led to Thursday's officer-involved shooting have identified the victim as Gregory Dean Butts of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 3500 Block of SW Kerry Avenue in reference to a shooting. One victim later identified as Mr. Butts was suffering from a gunshot wound and pronounced deceased at the scene.  EMS transported another victim to a local  hospital with life threatening injures. 

Topeka Police investigators quickly identified and worked to locate the suspect later identified as Eric D. Perkins, 33, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The relationship between the Perkins and the homicide victim was domestic in nature, according to Munoz.

Eric Perkins-photo MODOC
Eric Perkins-photo MODOC

A Topeka officer observed the suspect vehicle near Topeka’s Hi-Crest Neighborhood. The suspect initiated the pursuit, which ended in downtown Topeka near SW 6th Avenue and South Kansas Avenue.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Shawnee Co. Sheriff's Deputies. The suspect shot several times at law enforcement officers on scene. Multiple law enforcement officers returned fire. At least one officer was struck by the suspect’s gunfire during this incident. The officer was treated at a local hospital and released, according to the KBI. Perkins remains hospitalized. Perkins has previous convictions for second degree assault and drug possession, according to the Missouri Dept. of Corrections.