Altercation at homeless shelter leads to one man being arrested, another taken to hospital

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured June 28, 2022.

A man was arrested Wednesday evening at the Lawrence Community Shelter for allegedly beating another man.

Police were called at 6:41 p.m. to the homeless shelter, 3655 E. 25th St. for a report of a battery, according to Sgt. Drew Fennelly. When officers arrived on scene, a 61-year-old man was still down on the ground, he said.

During the investigation, officers were able to determine that a 44-year-old man, who has only been in town a few days, allegedly struck the 61-year-old in the head with a closed fist, knocking him down, then kicked him in the head while he was on the ground, Fennelly said. It is not clear what initiated the physical confrontation.

The victim was taken to LMH Health by ambulance with nonlife-threatening injuries, and the suspect, who is listed as having a Topeka address, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery.