News Flash

JCPAO Press Releases

Posted on: March 12, 2020

Second defendant charged in Westport shootings that took life of 17-year-old

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2020

A second defendant has been charged in connection with the shootings in Westport in the early morning of Feb. 29, 2020, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Ernest Jones Jr., dob: 6/9/1996, faces Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records, a Kansas City police officer in the early morning hours of Feb. 29, 2020, observed occupants of a white Chevrolet SUV shooting at a group of individuals on Mill Street, just north of Westport Road, in the Westport entertainment area. Four persons suffered gunshot wounds and a fifth died as a result of a gunshot wound. Video surveillance showed individuals shooting from the white SUV as it pulled out of a parking garage. A dark-colored Lexus and a white Acura followed the SUV and all appeared to be part of the same group. Muzzle flashes could be seen from inside the Acura, as it was just behind the SUV. The license for the Acura responded back to Ernest P. Jones. A witness stated she was in another vehicle, a Mazda, when a drunk woman crossed the street near the Offkey/Throwback lounge. An argument ensued involving several people on the street. Ernest Jones was one of the persons involved, the witness told police. A witness told police she could see someone firing shots from a vehicle being driven by the defendant. When the defendant was arrested in Kansas City, KS, he was walking toward the white Acura with the same Kansas license plate observed in Westport on Feb. 29. A search by police of the residence found a .9 mm handgun as well as a .45 cal handgun. Multiple .9 mm and .45 Cal shell casings were found in the crime scene. More than 95 shell casings were processed by police.

Prosecutors requested a bond of $150,000 cash.

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.



Charging Document(s)
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in JCPAO Press Releases

KC man charged in April 30 homicide in KC

Posted on: September 29, 2017

16-year-old KC teen charged in 2016 murder

Posted on: December 23, 2016

KC man charged in Midtown carjacking

Posted on: November 4, 2016

KC man charged in rape of 14-year-old girl

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Charges in Grandview robbery

Posted on: April 20, 2016

Guilty plea in child death case

Posted on: April 13, 2016

KC man charged in KC car chase

Posted on: April 8, 2016

Police officer’s conviction upheld

Posted on: April 5, 2016

Charges filed in fatal KC shooting

Posted on: April 1, 2016

Charges filed in Independence murder

Posted on: March 31, 2016

Independence eluding leads to charges

Posted on: March 11, 2016

Sexual assault of 15-year-old

Posted on: March 9, 2016

Charges in weekend chase, crash

Posted on: March 6, 2016

Sword-wielding man leads police on chase

Posted on: February 25, 2016

Charges in Monday shooting

Posted on: February 24, 2016

Two charged in double homicide

Posted on: February 3, 2016

Manslaughter charges filed in 2015 wreck

Posted on: January 25, 2016

One charged in KC rape

Posted on: January 22, 2016

Charges in Jan. 9 gun slaying

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Messina honored by KCMBA

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Independence murder

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Grandview hit-and-run

Posted on: December 30, 2015

Solar energy theft involved area churches

Posted on: December 16, 2015