Victor N. Cricket Carlton was 17 when he was fatally shot at a residence in southeastern Topeka on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, and was pronounced dead at the scene. A student at Topeka West High School, he was active in wrestling with the Topeka Blue Thunder, played the trumpet, practiced martial arts, and enjoyed reading Sherlock Holmes and mythology. Family and classmates described him as strong in his faith.

The shooting was recorded as Topeka’s 27th homicide of 2023. Authorities arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with the killing and charged him with murder in the first degree and aggravated robbery; he was held in the Shawnee County juvenile department of corrections pending legal proceedings. Few other public details about the incident have been released.

If anyone knew Victor, saw activity in southeastern Topeka on October 10, 2023, or has information about the case, please come forward.