For Immediate Release
April 28, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced today that a Kansas City man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in a fatal shooting that killed two people in northeast Kansas City in 2021.
Earl Dunn III was convicted of two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in January. A Jackson County judge last week sentenced the defendant to life without parole for the two murder charges, 30 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years on each count of Armed Criminal Action.
“We are committed to holding violent offenders accountable and I am proud our office secured justice for the victims of this crime. We also appreciate the community members who cooperated in the investigation, turning over surveillance footage to law enforcement that captured crucial evidence. Without the video footage, the case would have been much more difficult to investigate and prosecute,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “I strongly encourage community members to consider setting up security cameras at their homes and businesses, as they play a vital role advancing investigations and ultimately helps us create safer neighborhoods.”
According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of Anderson and Norton avenues on March 11, 2021, and found a vehicle on fire with two victims inside. There were several spent shell casings on the street two blocks west of the accident and gunshot damage to the vehicle.
Detectives collected footage from area surveillance cameras, which captured another vehicle pursuing the victims in the neighborhood shortly before the victims’ vehicle crashed.
Information recovered from cell tower and mapping tools revealed the defendant to be in contact with one of the victims and in the same area of the crime scene during the same time of the crime. The DNA profile from a cigar butt inside the suspect vehicle also matched the defendant.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Jamie Hunt and Stephen Bertelsman prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
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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