For Immediate Release
Jan. 3, 2018
An Independence teenager has been charged in the murder last night, Jan. 2, 2018, in Independence of Matthew J. Haylock, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Tyler J. Gates, dob: 11/16/1999, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.*
According to court records filed today, Independence police responded to an Independence Center parking lot on a reported shooting and found the victim, Matthew J. Haylock, in the parking lot, suffering from gunshot wounds. A witness told police that the defendant was at the shopping center in a vehicle with the victim. He stated the defendant pointed the victims' firearm at the victim and soon after he heard a gunshot. Then he saw the victim slumped over and unresponsive. The defendant asked for help in pushing the victim out of the vehicle. The defendant then left the parking lot, keeping the weapon. The vehicle was later located and what appeared to be blood was found in the back seat and handguns were also found in the vehicle. A relative told police that the defendant told of being in an altercation last night and stated, "I shot him mom."
Prosecutors have requested a $250,000 bond.
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
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.