Judge sentences man to life in prison for 2024 killing in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A local judge has sentenced a man to prison for his role in a 2024 car chase and murder.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced on Oct. 22 that a judge sentenced 22-year-old Lorenzo Pattmon to prison. This comes after a car chase, kidnapping and killing of Kyle E. Higgins in 2024.

• Murder in the first degree - life in prison. No possibility of parole until 642 months, or 53 years and five months, have been served.
• Flee or attempt to elude law enforcement - six months in prison. Served concurrently with the murder conviction.
• Aggravated endangering of a child - six months in prison. Served consecutively to the murder conviction.
• Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon - 18 months in prison. Served consecutively to the murder conviction.
• Theft under $1,500 - served concurrently with the murder conviction.
• Interference with a law enforcement officer - six months in prison. Served concurrently with the murder conviction.

Topeka police were called around 4:15 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2024 regarding reports of an aggravated robbery near Southwest 29th Street and Southwest MacVicar Avenue. Police learned a vehicle was stolen that had a child still inside.

The stolen vehicle later crashed near Southeast 29th Street and Southeast Minnesota Avenue. Law enforcement also recovered the child.

Police, at around 8:30 a.m. on the same day, located a man, identified as Higgins, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a local hospital where he medical staff declared him dead.

Topeka police arrested two men in connection to the investigation: Pattmon and Rammelo H. Boatwright. A judge sentenced Boatwright to nearly 40 years in prison in April this year.

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