Topeka transgender house damaged during police standoff

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Transgender House was seriously damaged overnight in Topeka.

The Topeka Transgender House is located just south of the Topeka Equality House and across the street from the Westborough Baptist Church in the 1200 block of SW Orleans St.

The Topeka Police Department says the building was damaged after a homicide suspect became barricaded inside the home. The individual was wanted in connection with an Oklahoma City homicide.

The TPD responded to the home around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday to take the individual into custody. The TPD reported that the individual was barricaded inside the home. After entering the home around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, the TPD found the individual was dead from a possible suicide.

A 27 News reporter at the scene reports that the building has sustained major damage and debris is scattered throughout the yard.

The Transgender House is situated on the same property as the Equality House and was painted with the colors of the transgender flag in June 2016. The properties are part of the global nonprofit organization Planting Peace. Planting Peace works on a variety of humanitarian and environmental topics, including LGBTQ+ advocacy. The house was renamed in 2019 to honor Kansas transgender activist Stephanie Mott.

We have reached out to police for additional information. The FBI confirmed that they are working with local law enforcement.

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