Immediate Release
October 6, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced felony charges against an Independence, MO man for the stabbing and attempted robbery of a man hired to clean a city-owned park over the weekend.
Austin R. Lewis faces 1st Degree Attempted Robbery, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Assault. *
According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to an area near the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Oct. 5 regarding a reported cutting. Based on witness reports, detectives determined that the defendant approached the victim, a worker cleaning the sidewalks, and asked for a dollar. When the victim, who did not speak English, did not respond, the defendant stabbed him with a knife in full view of witnesses before fleeing the scene.
The victim is alive and in stable condition.
Officers located the defendant a few minutes after responding to the scene and took him into custody. He declined to speak with detectives.
The defendant is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.
# # #
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