KCPD raids Rockstar Burgers as part of sexual assault investigation
Police raided Rockstar Burgers in Kansas City’s West Bottoms Monday afternoon as part of an ongoing sexual assault investigation, according to police.
A search warrant was served on the now-closed restaurant and bar at 1611 Genessee Street, said Sgt. Jake Becchina, a Kansas City Police Department spokesman.
The owner, Brian D. Smith, was recently charged with domestic assault. Prosecutors in Platte County alleged that Smith hit an ex-girlfriend in the head with a handgun. Smith also faces a charge of armed criminal action.
On Monday three police cars lined the block outside the business. The restaurant’s windows were blocked with what appeared to be black trash bags.
Just before 3:30 p.m. two people wearing green gloves exited the building carrying equipment. About 10 minutes later, two more people left in a crime scene investigation van.
The raid comes about two weeks after complaints began surfacing about controversial online posts connected to Smith’s restaurant.
In late November, hundreds of people began calling for the business to shut its doors after graphic imagery was posted on a page for the business. Critics organized a petition and a protest.
Smith, 42, opened Rockstar Burgers in 2013.
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A sign on the restaurant door last week said it had closed indefinitely.
A manager at the restaurant said late last month that Smith had little to do with the day-to-day operations at the business and that its 25 employees have nothing to do with the owner’s actions.
This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 2:35 PM.
