Man charged in Arrowhead standoff allegedly threatened players, shot at groundskeeper
A 33-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man faces three felony charges in connection to a six-hour standoff with Kansas City police on Saturday, when he allegedly threatened Chiefs players on Facebook and later opened fire on a groundskeeper, barely missing him.
Joshua D. Newton was charged Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court with making a terrorist threat, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon for the incident that reportedly started just after 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex.
According to court records:
Investigators found a Facebook account with the name Josh Newton and a photo matched to Newton. The page had a message that said: “at 10:20 AM then I’m coming up to Arrowhead Stadium my Damn Self and Murdering you & all of yo’ All Pro Pro Bowl Bitch Azz Nigga’z &Luxury Taxing y’all twice Y’All Forbes List to get Murdered & Buried in Kansas City.”
A Kansas City Royals groundskeeper told police he was disposing of grass clippings Saturday morning when he noticed a man walking through the stadium parking lot. The man, who was later identified as Newton, allegedly pulled two black handguns from behind his back.
The worker ran as Newton allegedly raised the weapons and started shooting. The worker later said he heard four gunshots and bullets whizzing by as he ran.
The worker noticed another man walking towards him in the parking lot. He told the second man to get out of the area because Newton had opened fire.
Newton allegedly told that man, “don’t worry my brother, I ain’t gonna get you. You go right ahead.”
The worker took cover behind a row of portable toilets and dialed 911 around 11 a.m. The worker said he saw Newton walking along the fence line near the toilets as if he was looking for him.
Police obtained video of the incident that showed Newton walking around the stadium. It also showed Newton following the worker while holding what appeared to be a gun and raising it, according to court records.
A police spokesman on Saturday said it appeared that Newton experienced a mental health crisis. Employees sheltered in place during the standoff and the start of the Royals game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Kauffman Stadium was delayed.
Shortly after 6 p.m., police used less lethal weapons to arrest Newton. Police said Newton had two loaded semi-automatic handguns, a Beretta and a Glock 17. No one was injured, police said.
After he was arrested, Newton allegedly told investigators he was at the stadium conducting business. While there, Newton said a man pointed a gun at him, so Newton said he pointed his gun back at the man.
Newton denied ever firing his gun, according to court records.
Prosecutors requested that Newton be held on a $40,000 bond.
