Bystander trips suspect in Topeka crime spree that injured 17 people

Topeka police reported a violent incident on Wednesday, Oct. 28, involving a suspect who injured multiple people over a short period in the S.W. Fillmore area. The sequence of events ended when a local resident physically stopped the suspect from fleeing Ward Meade Park.

Adam Schwegman, identified as the perpetrator, is accused of starting the spree by stabbing two people along S.W. Fillmore. Police records show he was also booked on a rape allegation at that specific location. After these initial crimes, Schwegman moved further up the same road and forced entry into two residences. Officials confirmed that four children were inside one of the homes, including an infant four months old, though no injuries were reported for the minors.

The violence continued on a nearby street where a third individual was stabbed. The spree concluded at Ward Meade Park, where Schwegman attacked a 70-year-old woman. Ron Hubbard, a bystander, was with a friend when he noticed Schwegman running from the park. Hubbard described the moment he saw the suspect looking unusual. He stated, 'I happened to look up the street to my left, and I seen this strange guy.'

Hubbard acted on a strategy he had seen on television involving a delivery driver stopping a fleeing suspect. He stepped into the path of Schwegman, tripped him, and caused the man to fall into the grass. The knife used in the stabbings fell out of the suspect's hand during the fall. Hubbard kicked the blade toward the sidewalk while his friend held Schwegman in place. Although Schwegman escaped the two men, police officers arrived shortly after and took the suspect into custody.

Schwegman made his initial court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 29. A judge set his total bond at $3 million. He was booked on 16 charges, which include aggravated battery and rape. Hubbard, who said he was happy he intervened to stop further harm, reflected on the event with a simple directive for others: 'Well, if you see something bad, try to help stop it. I wish we could have got to it before this happened.'