For Immediate Release
Aug. 1, 2019
A Kansas City couple has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting July 14 outside a fast-food restaurant on 40 Highway in Independence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Matthew A. Woodward, dob: 10/2/1984, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action. Erica J. Williams, dob: 12/05/1986, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.*
According to court records, Brian K. Jones Woodruff died as a result of gunshot wounds from a 9mm handgun that was fired while he was in the parking lot of the McDonald's on U.S. 40 Highway in Independence, MO. A witness who was leaving Walmart told police that a man in an older model van was shooting from the vehicle at a group of men. Independence police detectives, through a review of surveillance video and witness statements, determined that Woodward was responsible for the victim's death. A witness told police that she had told the co-defendants of concerns about one of the victims threatening her. They told the witness they planned to rob the man. Williams drove the vehicle and Woodward jumped out of it once they identified man. Woodward fired shots, hitting two men, killing Woodruff, who just happened to be standing nearby. The vehicle with the co-defendants inside sped away. Later, Williams filed a police report saying her vehicle had been stolen. Shell casings form the scene matched a firearm recovered by Kansas City police. Williams had purchased the weapon in March 2019. Tests of the shell casings from the scene matched the weapon.
Prosecutors requested a $250,000 cash bond for Woodward and a $200,000 bond for Williams.
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.