By Associated Press - Thursday, February 4, 2021

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Topeka police officer who was responding to a call was was attacked Thursday by a man riding by the scene on a bicycle, authorities said.

The officer was called to remove unwanted people from a boarded-up home when a man not involved in that call went by on his bicycle, Sgt. Scott Scurlock said.

The bicyclist tried to get the officer’s attention but when he was told to wait, he attacked the officer, Scurlock said.

The man charged the officer, knocked him to the ground, punched him several times and tried unsuccessfully to get his gun from its holster.

A bystander intervened and the man was arrested. The officer was shaken up but no one was seriously injured, Scurlock said.

The people inside the boarded-up residence also were taken into custody.

Thursday afternoon, 22-year-old Justin Reed was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County jail facing possible charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, robbery and possession of marijuana.

The incident remains under investigation.

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