For Immediate Release
Sept. 13, 2016

Mohammed Whitaker, 30, the man suspected in a series of shootings in 2014 on Kansas City-area highways, pleaded guilty today to 20 felony charges and will serve 30 years in prison, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Whitaker, dob: 5/20/1986, pleaded guilty to 10 Class A felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon, discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle and 10 accompanying counts of Armed Criminal Action.

The shootings, attributed in 2014 to the so-called Highway Shooter, had the Kansas City area on alert as vehicles were unexpectedly shot at on area freeways, injuring at least two unsuspecting drivers. The situation attracted national attention, as Kansas City police kept the suspect under surveillance for days in the spring of 2014, until he was finally arrested in his Grandview apartment.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker offered this statement following the plea entered about noon today.

"Today, our community can rest knowing that the person who terrorized them in 2014 on our freeways will be sent to prison for a 30 year sentence.

"I remember where I was standing when Chief Forte called to tell me Whitaker had been taken into custody. So it was good today today to pass on the news of Whitaker's plea to the dedicated law enforcement personnel who spent countless, sleepless and stress-filled hours, day and night, bringing this man to justice. We all owe them a great deal of thanks and appreciation."

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com