A 68-year-old man in Missouri was charged with two counts of murder and one count of assault for shootings ,after he shot four people. Two of the four victims died during an eviction at a home in Independence, Missouri, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.
The shooting came as a result of a yearlong eviction process probably likely due to the issue of unpaid taxes
Four people were shot in the shootings, three officers from the Independence Police Department and one civil process server from the Jackson County Circuit Court. Justin Ewing of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said during a press conference Thursday night.
The police chief had now identified those killed as Independence police department officer Cody Allen and court employee Drexel Mack. The other two officers who were shot are now currently in recovery process, from their injuries.
Drexel Mack and another civil servant were there to complete the service of process and evict Mr.Larry Acree from the property, officials said. The court employee and those with him made sure to have taken multiple steps to make sure that property was secured and safe to go into.
They knocked on the door and were informed of their presence, but there was no answer, authorities said. When the locks were forcibly removed and the others entered through the front door, they were met with the man shooting them. The house owner had tried to kill the people by shootings on them, Baker said.
Additional officers tried to save Mack’s life and remove him from the property but they were also dealt with shooting too, which resulted in Cody Allen’s death. When more responding officers and additional units had arrived, they were able to shoot Acree and take him into custody for the tax issue and the shooting of civil servants.
Investigation ongoing
The team are currently looking into why Acree was being evicted from the house but she said it appears he had unpaid taxes and no longer had the legal right to the property. The process of eviction from the property began about Feb. 9, 2023, more than a year ago, he shot the police in fear of arrest, the shooting added more years to his time in jail.
Mr Acree is in custody on a $2 million bond and is currently in the hospital but will be transferred to the Jackson County Detention Center when he is able, officials said there will be more charges brought against Acree because of the shooting
At 1:09 p.m. (Missouri local time), the first calls came in from the scene saying that a civil process server from Jackson County Circuit Court was shot at the residence.They were informed of the shooting at the residence
Missouri State Highway Patrol is now conducting the investigation and the Jackson County Circuit Judge also announced that the case against Acree will not go through Jackson County. A judge in another county will get the case.
Official statements on the shootings
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson released a statement on X as the situation unfolded confirming that officers were shot and injured.
“Teresa and I are praying for the @IndepMoPolice officers involved and all who work to protect us,” Parson said.
The mayor of the Independence county also released a statement mourning the two deaths.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we come together to mourn the tragic loss of an Independence Officer, Cody Allen and Circuit Court process server, Drexel Mack. Today our city grieves the passing of two dedicated guardians and public servants,” Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said in a statement.
This is truly horrible on what happened in Missouri, the speculation of the motive of the shootings being that of tax dispute led to the murder of 2 civil servants. We need to remain optimistic for the future, to hope justice is given
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