For Immediate Release
March 20, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced charges against a Kansas City man who was shot by police this week after he struck a patrol car while attempting to flee law enforcement.
Robert Beebe faces Resisting a Lawful Stop, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle. *
According to court records, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers were following a black Infiniti Tuesday evening that had previously eluded them. Troopers followed the vehicle until it reached state line. The passenger of the Infiniti bailed from the vehicle and was taken into custody. The driver of the Infiniti, later identified as the defendant, was observed driving in a careless manner, according to Kansas City police helicopter footage. The driver drove into oncoming traffic and failed to stop at multiple traffic control devices.
The Infiniti then pulled into a parking lot on the 1600 block of Jefferson Street. A patrol vehicle attempted to conduct a car check of the vehicle. Witnesses, one of whom was participating in a police ride-along, said the officers identified themselves during the car check and requested the defendant to exit the vehicle. The defendant then hit the police car as he backed out and he revved its engine as if to strike the vehicle again. A witness said he believed the Infiniti was driving in the direction of an officer. Police fired at the vehicle, hitting the defendant who was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.
A stolen firearm was recovered from the Infiniti’s front driver side floorboard, loaded with live rounds. The defendant is currently on probation for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance.
The defendant is being held on a $50,000 bond.
*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.
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Media Contact:
Jazzlyn Johnson
Director of Communications
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
415 E 12th Street
Kansas City, MO - 64106
(816) 929-1289
jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com