Topeka Officers Cleared in Deadly Shooting
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Four Topeka police officers have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing in the deadly shooting of a suspect. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor said yesteray (FRI) that the officers acted in self-defense on December 13th when they fatally shot 19-year-old Joseph Michael Rodriguez of Topeka. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Rodriguez was armed with a handgun and a knife after an attempted carjacking that left a woman with knife wounds to her face. Witnesses said Rodriguez stood in a street and began pointing the gun at bystanders and police. One witness said Rodriguez began screaming at police, urging them to shoot him. Officers initially fired twice, wounding Rodriguez. Police and witnesses said officers fired the fatal shots when Rodriguez refused orders to drop his weapon and again pointed his pistol.
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KCK Police Investigate Homicide
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a Kansas City, Kansas man as a homicide. Police said yesterday (FRI) in a news release that the victim has been identified as Michael A. Robinson. The body of the 53-year-old man was found on New Year's Day. The release doesn't say how he was killed or offer any other details. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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One Dead, One Injured in Hays Fire
HAYS, Kan. (AP) — A fire at a Hays apartment left one person dead and another injured. Hays officials say the fire was reported about 6:30 pm Thursday. KAKE-TV reports firefighters and police pulled two women from the apartment. A 56-year-old woman later died. The condition of the other victim, a 58-year-old woman, was not released. The fire caused heavy damage to one apartment and three other units suffered smoke damage. Hays fire and police officials and the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating to determine a cause.
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Jayhawks' King Declares for NFL Draft
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas wide receiver Nigel King will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. King had 29 catches for 518 yards and one touchdown during his only season with the Jayhawks. He began his career at Maryland and transferred to Kansas after earning his degree. The decision was announced yesterday (FRI). The 6-foot-3, 210-pound wide receiver transferred to Kansas in part to play for coach Charlie Weis and wide receiver coach Eric Kiesau. Weis was fired four games into the season, and new coach David Beaty was introduced a few weeks ago. Kansas was already losing wide receivers Nick Harwell, Justin McCay and Tony Pierson to graduation, along with tight end Jimmay Mundine. King's decision will leave the Jayhawks with the greenest wide receiver corps in the Big 12 next season.
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UCLA holds off Kansas State in Alamo Bowl
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Quarterback Brett Hundley led Number 14 UCLA to a 31-6 halftime lead and the Bruins held off Number 11 Kansas State 40-35 Friday night in the Alamo Bowl. Kansas State (9-4) scored 22 of the first 25 points in the second half, cutting it to 34-28 on quarterback Jake Waters' 1-yard run with 4:54 left. Paul Perkins countered for UCLA (10-3) with a 67-yard run with 2:20 to go. Waters threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett with 1:21 left, but UCLA recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Perkins ran for 194 yards on 20 carries. Lockett had 13 catches for 164 yards for Kansas State. Waters was 31 of 48 for 338 yards, but was sacked seven times — twice by Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks — and threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Hundley ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and passed for 136 yards.
