Topeka Police are investigating the 8th homicide of the year which occurred at the Whiplash Bar & Grill, 2107 California, early Wednesday morning.

Just after 1:45am Wednesday, police responded to the bar in reference a shooting. Police found a male subject down inside the bar with gunshot wounds. The victim, 30-year old Joseph R. Beier Jr. was transported to a local hospital by AMR where he was later pronounced dead.

The Topeka Police Department is currently seeking public assistance to locate the suspect in the homicide at the southeast Topeka bar. The suspect is 23-year old James Arthur Qualls, a black male who is 6’3” tall and weighs 270 pounds. Police are also looking for his wife who is a person of interest in the case. She is 30-year old Ana-Ama Brackin, a black female.

Use caution if either of these people are located and notify the Topeka Police Department at 368-9400.