A Shawnee County jury has convicted a 20-year-old Salina man in connection with a deadly 2024 shooting in central Topeka.
Demari Owens was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder in the killing of 45-year-old Ricky R. Washington Jr. of Topeka. The verdict came after a five-day trial in Shawnee County District Court.
A second suspect, 24-year-old Du’Jontez Owens of Topeka, is still awaiting trial in the case. Prosecutors have identified Demari Owens and Du’Jontez Owens as half-brothers.
Demari Owens is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12.
Shooting Happened Outside Business
According to motions filed by prosecutors, the shooting happened on the morning of November 10, 2024.
Officers with the Topeka Police Department responded to a reported shooting outside a business near Huntoon and Lincoln. When officers arrived, they found Washington dead at the scene.
Police also found a teenager suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The teen survived, but the injuries led to additional attempted murder and firearm-related charges in the case.
Investigators later identified Demari Owens and Du’Jontez Owens as suspects connected to the shooting.
Jury Finds Demari Owens Guilty
After hearing evidence during the five-day trial, jurors convicted Demari Owens on multiple charges.
He was found guilty of intentional and premeditated first-degree murder. He was also convicted of attempted first-degree murder, also described as intentional and premeditated.
In addition, the jury found him guilty of two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, both listed as reckless.
The verdict means Owens now faces sentencing in August, when the court will determine his punishment in the case.
Second Suspect Set For Trial
Du’Jontez Owens is scheduled to go to trial beginning June 29.
He faces a long list of charges connected to the same investigation. Those charges include intentional and premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated battery and multiple counts related to the criminal discharge of a firearm.
He is also charged with interference with law enforcement, improper use of a roadway by a pedestrian and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.
Because Du’Jontez Owens has not yet gone to trial, the charges against him remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
Charges Against Du’Jontez Owens
Court records list several firearm-related charges against Du’Jontez Owens, including criminal discharge of a firearm at unoccupied dwellings and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle resulting in great bodily harm.
He also faces two counts of aggravated battery, with prosecutors alleging great bodily harm or disfigurement.
His upcoming trial will focus on whether prosecutors can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Family Still Awaiting Full Resolution
The conviction of Demari Owens marks a major development in the case, but the legal process is not over.
Washington’s family and the surviving teenage victim may still have to wait through the second trial before the case reaches a fuller conclusion.
The shooting remains one of the violent incidents investigated by Topeka police in 2024, with prosecutors continuing to pursue accountability through the court system.
Demari Owens has been convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the 2024 shooting death of Ricky R. Washington Jr.
His sentencing is set for August 12, while Du’Jontez Owens is scheduled to stand trial beginning June 29. Prosecutors say both men are half-brothers, and the second suspect still faces multiple charges as the case continues through court.