Terahn M. Simms, a 23-year-old man from Topeka, Kansas, died after suffering critical gunshot wounds during a shooting on Friday, October 30, 2026. The violence occurred in southeast Topeka, near a convenience store in the 3100 block of Southeast Sixth Avenue. What initially began as an investigation into a serious shooting became a homicide investigation after Simms succumbed to his injuries.
According to the Topeka Police Department, officers were dispatched to a local hospital shortly before 9:50 p.m. on October 30 after receiving information that a gunshot victim had arrived for emergency medical treatment. Simms had suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, prompting police to begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities did not immediately disclose how many times he had been shot, who transported him to the hospital, or what had happened in the moments leading up to the violence.
As investigators worked to determine where the shooting had occurred, their investigation led them to an area near a convenience store in the 3100 block of Southeast Sixth Avenue. Police identified the location as the crime scene and began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not publicly explained whether Simms was inside or outside the business when the shooting occurred, whether an argument or confrontation preceded the gunfire, or whether other individuals were present.
On November 3, 2026, the Topeka Police Department publicly identified Simms as the victim and confirmed that he had died from his injuries. His death prompted investigators to formally classify the case as a homicide. Although the shooting occurred on October 30, available reports do not establish the exact date on which he succumbed to his wounds. The announcement marked a significant development in the investigation, shifting the focus from a shooting investigation to determining who was responsible for taking his life.
As of November 5, 2026, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect, announced any arrests, or disclosed criminal charges connected to Simms' death. Investigators had also not released information about a possible motive, the relationship between the victim and whoever fired the fatal shots, or whether surveillance footage or witness statements had provided significant leads. With no publicly announced arrests, there were no reported court proceedings, trials, or convictions related to the homicide.
The Topeka Police Department continues to seek information from anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or possesses details that could help identify those responsible. Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the department's Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400 or email [email protected]. Anonymous information can also be submitted through Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
The death of Terahn M. Simms represents another tragic loss of life to gun violence in Topeka. His final hours remain surrounded by unanswered questions, including what brought him to the area of Southeast Sixth Avenue, what circumstances led to the shooting, and who was responsible. Until investigators identify those involved and establish what happened, his homicide remains an active investigation, with authorities seeking the evidence and information necessary to bring those responsible to justice.
