A Topeka Rescue Mission staff member is in critical but stable condition after being injured in an incident April 4 outside the the mission's men's shelter, TRM said in a news release April 7.

TRM wasn't making public the employee's name or gender.

"Our entire TRM team is devastated by this event," said La Manda Cunningham, CEO for TRM. "Each of our employees is precious to our team and our mission, so when one of us is injured in any way it has a significant and far-reaching impact."

Victim suffered life-threatening blunt force trauma injuries

Topeka police Lt. Donna Eubanks said officers were called shortly before 11 p.m. April 4 to the 600 block of N. Kansas Avenue on a report that a person was on the ground and had been battered.

Officers arrived to find a person with life-threatening injuries caused by blunt force trauma, Eubanks said.

That person was taken by American Medical Response ambulance to an area hospital, she said.

Eubanks said police arrested Xavian M. Locke, 25, of Topeka, in connection with one count each of attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping in the flight or commission of any crime and aggravated battery involving knowingly using a weapon to cause great bodily harm, disfigurement or death. Formal charges hadn't been filed.

Locke was being held April 7 in the Shawnee County Jail on a $1 million bond on those counts and without bond on an outstanding Shawnee County warrant charging him with a probation violation, jail records said.

TRM provides spiritual support to those affected

TRM, a faith-based organization, since 1953 serves homeless, hungry and impoverished citizens in the Topeka community. Its men's shelter is at 600 N. Kansas Ave.

TRM is working closely with and fully cooperating with Topeka police in its investigation and will continue to provide support to its injured employee and everyone else who's been affected, Cunningham said.

TRM is providing spiritual support to all employees and guests who are struggling with the emotional impact of the incident, she added.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.