Missouri woman sues ex-KCPD officer charged with fatally shooting her father
A Missouri woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a former Kansas City police officer charged with fatally shooting her father outside a Walmart in Kansas City’s Northland in August 2024.
Taquiza Johnson, 47, allegedly shot 71-year-old Ronald Barnett while Barnett was leaving his car outside the superstore on August 21, 2024. Barnett’s daughter, Elizabeth Moon, filed the lawsuit on Feb. 11 in Platte County court.
Johnson currently faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Police believe that the shooting, which happened just before 4:30 p.m., stemmed from an argument between Johnson and Barnett. According to court documents, Johnson made an inflammatory gesture while walking on the way out of Walmart past Barnett’s car.
Evidence collected at the scene suggests that Johnson’s shot lodged in Barnett’s car, as a hole was found in the vehicle with a bullet in the backseat. A firearm was discovered at the foot of Johnson’s bed when he was arrested later that day, according to court documents.
After Barnett parked his car, Johnson approached him and allegedly shot him point-blank, court documents read. Moon’s lawsuit alleges that her father did not provoke Johnson before the shooting.
Johnson was an officer with the Kansas City Police Department from December 2003 through February 2014, according to KCPD spokesperson Capt. Jake Becchina. He was last assigned to the patrol bureau.
Moon is seeking upwards of $75,000 in emotional and financial damages. The lawsuit claims that the shooting deprived Moon and her family of Barnett’s “companionship, affection, comfort, love, and society.”
Barnett is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, five siblings and his cat Sammie, according to an obituary shared online after his death. A lifelong Missouri resident, Barnett was a loving family man and an avid bowler, according to the obituary.
“He was passionate about being a grandfather, bowling, trains and Halloween,” the obituary reads.
Johnson is currently being held without bond in the Platte County Detention Center. A hearing has been scheduled for May 16 at 9:00 a.m. in Platte County Court. Johnson’s next court appearance, a hearing related to the pending criminal charges, is set for February 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Johnson is also involved in an ongoing federal lawsuit against the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners and another former KCPD officer, alleging his civil rights were violated during a 2020 interaction with the officer after Johnson left the force.
Previous reporting by The Star’s Nathan Pilling, Toriano Porter and Kendrick Calfee contributed to this coverage.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story mentioned the original charges in the case, which have since been upgraded to first degree murder and armed criminal action.
