Lawrence, January 6, 2026
An armed city employee shot and killed an intruder at Lawrence City Hall after the individual forced entry into a secured area. The incident led to the immediate closure of City Hall and disruption of services. The Lawrence Police Department is investigating the motive behind the attack. The employee is currently on administrative leave while details surrounding the confrontation are clarified.
Lawrence
Intruder Fatally Shot by City Employee at City Hall
An out-of-state intruder was shot and killed by an armed city employee at Lawrence City Hall on Monday morning, January 5, 2026, following a forced entry and an altercation within the secured area of the building. The incident led to the immediate closure of City Hall for the day and the cancellation of various city services, with Municipal Court offices remaining closed through Thursday, January 8.
Details of the Incident and Confrontation
The event unfolded around 8:00 a.m. on Monday when a 28-year-old man from Minnesota forced his way into Lawrence City Hall through a back door. The intruder proceeded up a stairwell to the fourth floor, which is a secured area typically not accessible to the public. Reports indicate he broke a window in a stairwell door or forced his way through a door into this restricted section of the building, which houses offices for the city manager, city attorney, and budget manager. City employees encountered the individual, and a physical altercation ensued.
During the struggle, a city employee, who was authorized and trained to carry a firearm within the building, discharged their weapon, fatally striking the intruder. Authorities have clarified that the employee involved is not a police officer. No city employees sustained serious injuries during the incident. Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart and City Manager Craig Owens confirmed these details in statements following the event.
Investigation Underway
The Lawrence Police Department is leading a comprehensive investigation into the shooting, in cooperation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. While the intruder was identified as a 28-year-old man from Minnesota, his identity has not been publicly released as efforts are underway to notify his next of kin. Chief Lockhart stated that the man was known to police but was not a resident of Lawrence. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the intruder’s actions and why he targeted the fourth floor of City Hall. It has not been confirmed whether the intruder was armed. Surveillance cameras within the building captured the incident, but the footage will not be released to the public during the ongoing investigation.
The city employee who fired the weapon has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol following such an incident. Officials reported that the employee is doing “as well as could be expected” given the circumstances.
Impact on City Services and Operations
Immediately following the shooting, Lawrence City Hall was closed for the entire day on Monday, January 5, affecting all City Hall-based services, including Planning & Development Services, Municipal Court, and utility billing. All court dockets scheduled for Monday were canceled. While City Hall was expected to reopen on Tuesday, January 6, for general operations, the Municipal Court offices will remain closed until Thursday, January 8. The Lawrence City Commission meeting, however, was scheduled to proceed as usual at City Hall on Tuesday evening, January 6, and was fully open to the public. The city expressed gratitude for the swift response of police and first responders to what City Manager Craig Owens described as a “disturbing incident.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at Lawrence City Hall?
- An out-of-state intruder was shot and killed by an armed city employee at Lawrence City Hall on Monday morning, January 5, 2026, following a forced entry and an altercation within the secured area of the building.
- When did the incident occur?
- The event unfolded around 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026.
- Who was the intruder?
- The intruder was identified as a 28-year-old man from Minnesota. Chief Lockhart stated that the man was known to police but was not a resident of Lawrence.
- Who shot the intruder?
- During the struggle, a city employee, who was authorized and trained to carry a firearm within the building, discharged their weapon, fatally striking the intruder. Authorities have clarified that the employee involved is not a police officer.
- What is the status of the investigation?
- The Lawrence Police Department is leading a comprehensive investigation into the shooting, in cooperation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the intruder’s actions and why he targeted the fourth floor of City Hall. It has not been confirmed whether the intruder was armed.
- How did the incident affect Lawrence City Hall operations?
- Immediately following the shooting, Lawrence City Hall was closed for the entire day on Monday, January 5, affecting all City Hall-based services, including Planning & Development Services, Municipal Court, and utility billing. All court dockets scheduled for Monday were canceled. While City Hall was expected to reopen on Tuesday, January 6, for general operations, the Municipal Court offices will remain closed until Thursday, January 8.
Key Features of the Lawrence City Hall Shooting
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Lawrence City Hall, 6 East Sixth St. |
| Date and Time | Monday, January 5, 2026, around 8:00 a.m. |
| Incident | Intruder forced entry into a secured area, encountered by city employees, physical altercation, fatally shot by armed city employee. |
| Intruder Identity | 28-year-old man from Minnesota, known to police but not a Lawrence resident. |
| Employee Status | Armed city employee, not a police officer, trained and authorized to carry a firearm; placed on administrative leave; reported to be doing “as well as could be expected.” |
| Investigation | Led by Lawrence Police Department and Douglas County District Attorney’s Office; motive unclear; surveillance footage not released; unknown if intruder was armed. |
| City Hall Operations Impact | Closed for January 5; Municipal Court offices closed until January 8; City Commission meeting on January 6 proceeded as scheduled. All City Hall-based services (Planning & Development Services, Municipal Court, utility billing) unavailable on January 5. |
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