Murder charges upgraded against former KC cop in fatal shooting outside Northland Walmart
Platte County prosecutors have upgraded pending murder charges against the former Kansas City police officer accused of shooting a man outside a Northland superstore last summer.
Taquiza Johnson, 47, is now charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Ronald Barnett, 71. Johnson allegedly fatally shot Barnett in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue on Aug. 21.
Johnson was initially charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Attorneys for the state of Missouri first raised the question of upgrading the charges against Johnson during an Oct. 22 hearing, according to court records.
An amended complaint reflecting the new charges was filed on Dec. 16, though Johnson’s charges have not been updated on the Missouri online court records portal as of Feb. 25.
Second-degree murder charges indicate that someone knowingly caused the death of another person or killed them while trying to cause them serious physical injury, according to Missouri state law. First-degree murder charges, by contrast, reflect a more intentional killing that was carried out with some amount of forethought.
Investigators believe that Johnson and Barnett had an altercation before the shooting, according to court documents. While exiting the store, Johnson reportedly made a rude gesture at Barnett as he entered the parking lot, court documents read. After Barnett parked, Johnson allegedly approached him and shot him point-blank, with the bullet lodging in Barnett’s car.
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.
Barnett’s daughter Elizabeth Moon filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Johnson in Platte County Court on Feb. 11; the civil case is still pending. Johnson is also involved in a pending federal lawsuit, which he brought against another former KCPD officer, who he alleges violated his civil rights during an altercation after Johnson left the force.
The next court hearing related to criminal charges against Johnson will take place at 9 a.m. May 16 in Platte County Court.
Barnett’s death was the 99th homicide reported in Kansas City in 2024, according to data collected by The Star.
