Police say 50 year-old Pamela McMaster of Topeka was killed Thursday night in a shooting at the Regency Inn.

The inn is in a high crime area of the city and has had its fair share of police visits.

“I count 54 calls to them this year,” said Maj. John Sidwell with Topeka Police. “That is above the average number of calls that we respond to for most businesses within the city of Topeka. When we see bars approaching this number we start to talking with the owners about trying to fix the problem.”

Police have been working with the management to lower those numbers which have included calls on theft, stolen vehicles, drugs, even a shooting in January where no one was hurt.

Even so, the calls are down from last year.

Those who work at the inn are surprised by the latest incident.

“We were just in our office and we heard a shotgun and didn't know what was happening,” said Vimla, who wishes for her last name to remain anonymous. “We went to the backside, we saw a lady fall down and we knew that somebody had shot her. I was really in shock; the lady was such a sweet lady.”

“She gave us drinks, she gave us some pop and stuff and she was always nice,” said Anthony, a boy who stays with his dad near the Regency Inn.

“I have my son staying with me and I don't want anything to happen to him, so for something that happened that close, I just wanted him to be safe and hope it doesn't happen again” said Samantha Therriault who was staying at the inn.

“I was over there on the other side of the field playing football with my friends,” said Johnathan, a boy who lives nearby. “I was scared because I thought someday they might come up and shoot me or my friends or family. I hope that doesn't happen and I hope they catch him.”

Workers say Pamela McMaster had lived at the motel for at least 6 or 7 months.

Topeka Police say there are several leads right now and being in the first 24 hours say the investigation is going very well.