photo by: Chris Conde

Police and other first responders surround an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Ohio Street on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

The Lawrence Police Department announced on Thursday the identity of a man who was found dead of a gunshot wound Wednesday night while officers were trying to serve a warrant.

The man, Josiah Emmanuel Henderson, 23, of Lawrence, was wanted in Kansas City, Kansas, for alleged rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties, aggravated domestic battery and aggravated endangering a child, according to a release from the department. Police noted in the release that the warrant was for charges that had not yet been proven in court.

Officers were attempting to execute the warrant around 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of Ohio Street when they heard a gunshot from inside the residence after identifying themselves. Officers backed away from the apartment building and created a perimeter, evacuating neighboring residents, as the Journal-World reported.

Officers entered the apartment at 9:30 p.m. and located Henderson inside with an apparent gunshot wound. Police deemed the area safe and allowed neighbors to return to their homes around 10 p.m.