Teen charged in deadly Independence Center shooting
Jackson County authorities have charged 18-year-old Tyler J. Gates of Independence in the deadly shooting at Independence Center Tuesday night.
Gates faces second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of Matthew J. Haylock, 17, of Independence.
Gates was identified by police as a “person of interest” in the deadly shooting at Independence Center Tuesday night.
Police responded to reports of a shooting about 8:30 p.m. at Independence Center, which is in the 18800 block of East 39th Street South.
Arriving officers found Haylock, who had been fatally shot sprawled on the pavement of the parking lot just outside the shopping center.
A witness told police that the defendant was at the shopping center in a vehicle with the victim.
He said the defendant pointed the victims’ firearm at the victim and soon after he heard a gunshot.
He said he then saw the victim slumped over and unresponsive. A relative told police that the defendant told of being in an altercation last night and stated, “I shot him mom.”
Prosecutors have requested a $250,000 bond.
Robert A. Cronkleton: 816-234-4261, @cronkb
Glenn E. Rice: 816-234-4341, @GRicekcstar
This story was originally published January 3, 2018 at 7:11 AM with the headline "Teen charged in deadly Independence Center shooting."