Lee’s Summit man charged in Independence shooting of 26-year-old
Prosecutors have charged a 23-year-old Lee’s Summit man in the fatal shooting of a man outside a home in Independence.
Arieous K. Walton-Merritt, 23, was charged with second degree murder and armed criminal action for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Matthew Bland-Williams, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Independence police responded to the shooting in the 18800 block of East Wigwam Place just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
When officers arrived, they found the victim, Bland-Williams, in front of the home.
Police soon found Walton-Merritt collapsed in front of another Independence residence with gunshot wounds.
Prosecutors said surveillance video from a neighbor showed Walton-Merritt firing two shots at Bland-Williams before a struggle began. Then, prosecutors said, Bland-Williams got the gun and fired shots at Walton-Merritt as he drove away.
Bland-Williams was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Pamela Bland, Bland-Williams’ mother, said in a statement with the prosecutor’s office that her son was “funny and loving.” Bland-Williams was close to his 11 first cousins, she wrote, and had a large group of friends.
Bland wrote that last week her son was working at the church food pantry.
“Helping others came naturally to Matthew,” Bland said. “When our family was told he was taking his friend food, at the time of his death, this act of kindness felt like something Matthew would do.”
His mother said Bland-Williams planned to move in with his best friend and start a new business.
“His life was snatched away before he could reach his full potential,” Bland said.
Prosecutor asked for a $100,000 bond.
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America.
As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help. To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
