City worker fatally shoots alleged intruder during fight at Lawrence City Hall
A city worker shot and killed an alleged intruder Monday morning after the two got into a physical fight at Lawrence City Hall, a police spokesperson said.
A 28-year-old man from out of state allegedly forced his way through a locked door into Lawrence City Hall, at 6 E. Sixth Street, around 8 a.m. and proceeded to the fourth floor, where the city manager’s office is located, said Laura McCabe, communications manager with the Lawrence Police Department.
There, the man allegedly broke through a door into a secured area not open to the public. City employees attempted to remove him, and a physical altercation ensued. During the fight, a city employee shot and killed the man, McCabe said.
The employee is authorized to carry a firearm but is not a member of the Lawrence Police Department, McCabe said. No city employees sustained serious injuries during the incident.
City Hall will be closed for the remainder of the day, and all City Hall-based services, including planning and development, municipal court, and utility billing, will be unavailable, the city announced on Facebook.
The Lawrence City Commission meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday will be held as usual. However, City Hall, including municipal court offices, will be closed until Thursday, McCabe said.
The investigation, led by the Lawrence Police Department in cooperation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, is in its early stages, McCabe said. Investigators were working to notify the man’s family.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 12:21 PM.
