The police determined that 16. Topeka’s 2024 murder victim is a 58-year-old man

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Topeka police have identified the city’s 16th murder victim of 2024.

Authorities said Friday morning that Peter J. Blancas, 58, of Topeka, was found dead Wednesday morning at a home at 500 NE Gordon Street in the Little Russia neighborhood on the city’s North Side.

The The homicide was reported around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday after a Topeka Fire Department crew responded to what was initially described as a “medical call” at a residence at 500 NE Gordon Street.

No arrests had been reported as of 11:30 a.m. Friday.

On Friday morning, police announced that a homicide investigation was ongoing.

Crews were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday to a home on NE Gordon for a “medical call.”

Topeka Fire Department and medical crews responded to the home where they found the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said that due to the nature of the incident, firefighters asked police to intervene.

This time last year, Topeka had recorded 33 homicides through Oct. 30, 2023, a year in which the capital set a record with 35 homicides.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Blanca’s death was initially considered by police to be the 15th murder this year.

However, Blanca’s death was later determined to be Topeka’s 16th homicide of 2024.

On Sunday evening, Oct. 6, the city’s 15th homicide of 2024 was reported at a home at 1640 SW Buchanan St., where a fire occurred.

Topeka Police Department officials told 13 NEWS Thursday that the victim in the Oct. 6 homicide that occurred on SW Buchanan Street has still not been identified.

Check wibw.com later for more information as it becomes available.