Police name suspect in homicide at Whiplash Bar

The Topeka Police have named a suspect in a homicide that happened early this morning at the Whiplash Bar and Grill at 21st and Southeast California Avenue in Topeka.

Police found 30-year old Joseph R. Beier Jr. with gunshot wounds inside the bar.

Location of Whiplash Bar

They are currently looking for James Arthur Qualls, a 23-year-old black man, who's 6'3" and weighs 270 pounds.

Police also are naming his wife, Ana-Ama Brackin, as a person of interest in this case. UPDATE: Bracken was located at a residence in Kansas City Kansas earlier Wednesday. She was transported to the Topeka Police Department to be interviewed. She was subsequently released pending further investigation.

He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

He is the eighth homicide victim of the year.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers.

Ana-Ama Brackin

Ana-Ama Brackin

James Arthur Qualls

James Arthur Qualls

2008: Homicides in Topeka

Our 49 Crime Tracker is keeping tabs on murders in Topeka. View a clickable map of Topeka homicides for 2008.

Crime tip hotlines

Can you help solve a crime?

If you have any information about a crime, please call police at the following numbers:

Topeka Police (non-emergency): (785) 368-9400
Topeka Crime Stoppers (for anonymous tips): (785) 234-0007
Crimes in Shawnee County (non-emergency): (785) 368-2200
Kansas Bureau of Investigation: 1-800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463)


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