The body of Orlando Collins, 28, was discovered in a burnt out room at the Country Club Motel in Topeka, Kansas, where earlier FBI agents and members of the U.S. Marshal Task Force Service had come under fire in a shootout with the fugitive.
Two Deputy U.S. Marshals and an FBI agent were wounded, the FBI have confirmed.
Following the gun fight a fire started in the hotel room which then spread throughout the entire building.
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13WIBW reports:
After firefighters put out the blaze, which destroyed the motel, a body was found in the room where Collins was believed to be. Authorities have not identified the body.
The FBI is still processing the scene, at 37th and Topeka Blvd., while the ATF and fire marshal are currently investigating the fire.
Federal law enforcement officers were injured during a shootout outside a south Topeka motel late Saturday night.
According to police, members of the U.S. Marshal Service Task Force descended on the Country Club Motel shortly before 10:00 p.m., trying to locate a suspect. Topeka police did not give the name of the suspect.
Authorities said a person or persons exchanged fire with the Task Force. In the course of the firefight, four federal officers sustained non-life threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals. Topeka police were not able to confirm if the agents were shot or how they were hurt.
They did not confirm if the suspect was captured, although they did say the area was safe now.
During the course of the exchange, the motel caught fire. The fire soon was sending heavy plumes of smoke and flames into the air as Topeka firefighters worked to contain it.
The man inside the hotel is believed to be Orlando Collins, but that was not confirmed. Collins is a suspect in several recent armed robberies in which the getaway cars were set on fire afterwards and was listed on the Northeast Kansas Most Wanted List.
TPD didn’t give much info at news conf. Says officers shot are okay. Wouldn’t say if suspect is still on loose, but say it’s safe. #wibw
— WIBW Carrie Larsen (@wibwcarrie) April 24, 2016
Looks like the fires pretty much out. Here’s what the motel looks like now. #wibw pic.twitter.com/91N8D4rOJB
— WIBW Carrie Larsen (@wibwcarrie) April 24, 2016
Fire marshal being called back to talk to media. Should have some detailed information soon. #wibw
— WIBW Carrie Larsen (@wibwcarrie) April 24, 2016
Easier to tell now as crews continue to work on the fire #WIBW @wibw pic.twitter.com/BPq2H9VJbg
— Jonathan Deutsch (@wibwJonathan) April 24, 2016
Tough to tell, but much of the roof has been destroyed by the fire @WIBW #wibw pic.twitter.com/a7iYwKvlGn
— Jonathan Deutsch (@wibwJonathan) April 24, 2016
Fire has gotten much larger and moved more toward the Topeka Blvd side of the building #WIBW @wibw pic.twitter.com/czBmEV1FP2
— Jonathan Deutsch (@wibwJonathan) April 24, 2016
