Two men arrested in connection with the shooting of Richard Hernandez in North Topeka

Two men were being held in the Shawnee County Jail on Monday in connection with a shooting slaying that occurred Saturday in North Topeka.

Authorities said John E. Kyhnell II, 43, of Topeka, and Steve A. Devries Jr., 39, of Topeka, were arrested in connection with the shooting of Richard E. Hernandez, 47, of Topeka.

No formal charges have been filed.

Police were called to the scene of the shooting in the 1200 block NE Monroe around 11:20 a.m. Saturday, where they found Hernandez suffering from a gunshot wound, Topeka police Lt. Ed Stanley said.

Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene, Stanley said.

He was the ninth murder victim in Topeka this year.

Police arrested Kyhnell and Devries as part of their investigation into Hernandez’s death, Stanley said.

Devries was booked into jail at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, where he was being held without bail Monday morning on charges of premeditated and planned murder, jail records say.

They said Kyhnell was booked into jail at 2:20 a.m. Sunday, where he was being held without bail Monday morning, facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm.