An alleged intruder was fatally shot by an armed employee inside Lawrence (Kan.) City Hall on Monday, officials said.
The 28-year-old suspect “forced his way into the building then broke through a door” on the fourth floor and into a secured area not open to the public around 8 a.m., according to a Lawrence Kansas Police Department statement.
The city manager’s, city attorney’s and budget manager’s offices are on the fourth floor.
“City employees attempted to remove the man and a struggle began.” the statement continues. “The man was fatally shot.”
No employees were injured.
Officials said the employee, whose name and job title were not released, was authorized to carry a gun.
The deceased man, who has not been identified, is likely not from the Lawrence area, police said. It’s unclear if he was armed.
Police Chief Rick Lockhart told reporters the department is reviewing surveillance video to determine the sequence of events that led to the shooting and the suspect’s possible motive.
“We are not aware of the why,” Lockhart said. “It’s somebody who is not known to us.”
He added: “Their families are still being notified that they were involved in this incident, so out of respect for their privacy, we’re not going to release that at this time.”
The Lawrence Kansas Police Department and Douglas County District Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation.
The building, which is about two miles north of the University of Kansas campus, was closed for the remainder of Monday, but should reopen Tuesday. Municipal courts were scheduled to reopen on Thursday.
