Fifteen felony counts were filed today against a 27-year-old Kansas City man who is accused of taking the life of an unsuspecting 17-year-old, Gabriel Avila, and beating and shooting several others on Monday evening in the area of 10th and Monroe Avenue, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced late today.

"This senseless crime spree is impossible to comprehend," Baker said in a statement tonight. "The actions of the shooter have caused harms that cannot be measured and terrorized an entire neighborhood. Now, these victims and this neighborhood need the support of this entire community to overcome that harm."

Vincent Jackson, 10/24/1998, faces 15 counts: Murder 2nd Degree for the fatal shooting of Avila, Robbery 1st Degree, two counts of Assault 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, Shooting into a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Assault 2nd Degree and seven accompanying Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records filed late today, a group of men forced their way into a home on Monroe near 10th on Wednesday evening. The home was occupied by one adult and seven juveniles, ages six to 15. The intruders fired shots inside the home, beat some juveniles with guns and fired other shots into a vehicle outside the home, killing Avila, and shot into another vehicle passing by, hitting a driver in the foot, as well as shooting into nearby residences. Witnesses recognized Jackson as one of the men who forced their way into the home and the one carrying and firing an AK-47.

The Jackson County Prosecutors Office requested a bond of $1 million cash.
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.

This senseless crime spree is impossible to comprehend. The actions of the shooter have caused harms that cannot be measured and terrorized an entire neighborhood. Now, these victims and this neighborhood need the support of this entire community to overcome that harm.