Home / Crime and Justice / Parole Violator Shot by Police Gets 10 Years
Parole Violator Shot by Police Gets 10 Years
28 May
Summary
- Man receives 10-year sentence for crimes during police shooting.
- Incident involved a bicycle stop and a gun confrontation.
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation deemed officer's shooting justified.
Joseph L. Pham-Gardner, 37, received a total of 10 years in prison on May 27 for crimes committed in connection with an incident where he was shot by a Topeka police officer on January 17, 2025. The sentence was imposed by Shawnee County District Judge Maban Wright.
Pham-Gardner had pleaded guilty in February 2026 to five charges stemming from the January 17, 2025, encounter. These included one count each of burglary of a dwelling for a December 2024 burglary and defacing identification marks of a firearm in December 2024 or January 2025. A jury convicted him last month of these charges.
The incident began when Officer Michael Singer stopped Pham-Gardner for a bicycle equipment violation. Pham-Gardner attempted to flee and threatened the officer. When Singer observed Pham-Gardner was armed, he fired his weapon seven times. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation later determined Singer was justified in his actions. Pham-Gardner was on parole for previous convictions and actively sought on an outstanding warrant at the time of the shooting.
