At age 14, he was convicted in a KC shooting — now he’s on trial for murder

A 23-year-old alleged gang member is scheduled to go on trial Monday for murder, accused in a 2014 fatal shooting in Kansas City.

Mark A. Looney is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Michael Taylor, 22, who was shot and killed in the 3300 block of College Avenue after he walked up to a car to talk to someone, according to court records.

That occurred less than a mile away from the spot where, in 2008, Looney shot a 14-year-old boy from a moving car. Police in that case identified the victim and Looney as members of rival gangs. The victim, shot in the leg, survived.

Looney, then 14, was convicted of the shooting and put in the custody of the state’s Division of Youth Services. He was freed after turning 18 and put on probation, which was revoked after the killing of Taylor two years ago.

According to court records, Taylor was shot and killed shortly after noon on Dec. 1, 2014. Witnesses told police that Taylor had been called over to talk to a female in a parked car on College Avenue. When he approached, a man in the car shot him, claiming Taylor had pulled a gun. But a witness said Taylor was unarmed and he had left his own gun in his car.

A witness said Looney approached her after the shooting, demanding her ID and phone number. Another witness said Looney forced him at gunpoint to drive him away from the scene.

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "At age 14, he was convicted in a KC shooting — now he’s on trial for murder."