Father of KC child killed in drive-by shooting is accused of fleeing police

Prosecutors have accused the father of a 3-year-old Kansas City boy killed last year in a drive-by shooting of leading police on a high-speed pursuit through several residential neighborhoods.

Christopher Lee Hale of Kansas City was charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with resisting arrest and fleeing from officers during an incident June 22 that began at a residence at 66th Street and Walrond Avenue.

Hale was arrested Wednesday and is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on $15,000 bond.

Hale, 27, is the father of Amorian S.L. Hale, who was fatally shot May 31, 2015, when someone fired bullets from an SKS assault-style rifle into his house in the 6700 block of Walrond Avenue. Amorian was asleep in a first-floor bedroom in the rear of the yellow, two-story corner house. Three other children and the boy’s parents also were in the home.

The criminal charges filed against Christopher Hale for allegedly resisting arrest and fleeing were not related to his son’s death.

According to court records, on June 22, two patrol officers recognized a red Chevrolet Camaro associated with Hale parked in front of a residence in the 6600 block of Walrond Avenue. Hale was wanted on several outstanding warrants and for driving with a suspended license.

A black Chevrolet Trailblazer pulled into the driveway while the officers watched the Camaro. The Trailblazer also was associated with Hale. The officers were unable to see whether Hale was its driver. Additional patrol officers were called to the residence for assistance.

Police said that minutes later, Hale walked out of the house, got behind the wheel of the Trailblazer and headed east. The officers followed and activated their emergency lights. Hale reportedly refused to pull over and continued driving east.

The officers turned on their sirens, and Hale again allegedly refused to pull over. He passed a vehicle traveling in the same direction on East 67th Street. Hale reportedly continued to 67th and Askew Avenue, where another driver swerved to avoid being struck by the Trailblazer.

Hale allegedly continued running from police at speeds that reached 70 mph. The driver of a vehicle at 67th Street and Cleveland Avenue slammed on the brakes to avoid being struck. The pursuing officers were four blocks behind the Trailblazer because of its speed.

The officers turned off their emergency lights and sirens and discontinued their pursuit at Myrtle Avenue.

They reportedly saw Hale drive south at 67th Street and Elmwood Avenue, speeding past a park area where numerous children were playing.

For weeks, the shooting of Amorian baffled and angered the city. Police looked for connections with past shootings, searched for evidence on social media and used an undercover federal agent to buy what they said was the murder weapon.

In February, Jackson County prosecutors charged three men in the boy’s death. Those criminal cases remain pending.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Father of KC child killed in drive-by shooting is accused of fleeing police."