photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World photo

Lawrence City Hall and a multitude of law enforcement vehicles are pictured on Jan. 5, 2026.

UPDATED 3:15 P.M. JAN. 5

While Lawrence City Hall is closed through Wednesday in response to a Monday morning shooting that took place there, the Lawrence City Commission will hold its regular public meeting in the building on Tuesday evening nonetheless.

Shortly after the fatal shooting that occurred Monday morning, a social media post by the city announced City Hall would be closed to the public through Wednesday. However, city spokesperson Cori Wallace later clarified in a statement to the Journal-World that the building would reopen to host the already-scheduled Lawrence City Commission meeting.

Mayor Brad Finkeldei sent out a statement Monday afternoon, expressing “full support to City employees and appreciation for their continued commitment to serving our community” on behalf of the City Commission.

Finkeldei said the commission is “committed to the safety and security of our community, especially within our public buildings, and City Hall remains a safe place for our community and staff.”

The City Commission is set to meet at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday on the first floor of City Hall. The shooting, which occurred after an intruder was found by city employees in the building on Monday morning, occurred on the fourth floor.

Wallace said the meeting will be fully open to the public, per usual procedures.

Police have not deemed the building to be under any further threat from the incident, but the building was to be closed as investigative matters continued and as the city undertook a more thorough security review of the building. The City Commission meetings routinely have security provided by the Lawrence Police Department.