Kansas City man charged with murder in fatal gas station shooting that led to police chase
A man faces multiple felony charges including murder in a fatal shooting near a gas station on the border of Kansas City’s Santa Fe and Oak Park Northwest neighborhoods.
The shooting happened in the 3300 block of East Linwood Boulevard Wednesday.
On Thursday, Lorenzo Johnson, 30, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Michael Dehaan, according to court documents. Police allege in a probable cause affidavit that Johnson committed robberies in the neighborhood before the shooting.
Johnson has also been charged with first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and three counts of armed criminal action.
Officers responding to the scene found a man at the gas pumps, later identified as Dehaan, with a gunshot wound to the head, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The killing is Kansas City’s 97th homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. By this time in 2023, which was Kansas City’s deadliest year, there were 133 killings.
Details from shooting, police chase
Video surveillance from the gas station allegedly showed a physical struggle between the two men before Johnson shot Dehaan, according to court documents.
Before the shooting, Dehaan could be seen pulling into the gas station and parking his Nissan Versa at a gas pump. Johnson arrived at the gas station in a gold Lincoln Town Car ,and a physical struggle between the two ensued, the affidavit said. Johnson then got into Dehaan’s car, and when Dehaan walked to the back of the vehicle, Johnson allegedly shot him, the affidavit says.
Dehaan fell to the ground and Johnson allegedly backed the Nissan up over Dehaan’s body before leaving the parking lot, the affidavit said.
Earlier that night, there were multiple attempted armed robberies and an aggravated assault with the suspect vehicle being reported as a tan Lincoln Town Car, according to court documents.
Police found the Nissan while on patrol and followed the car before conducting a traffic stop. A female passenger was with Johnson at the time, the affidavit said. Johnson initially pulled over, then allegedly pointed a gun at officers before fleeing, the affidavit said.
Officers followed Johnson, who allegedly drove at a high rate of speed. Johnson lost control of the vehicle and spun out at an intersection. The female passenger left the car and fled on foot.
A lengthy case continued before officers eventually forced the Nissan off the road, the affidavit said. Johnson tried to flee on foot, but officers caught him and brought him into custody, according to court documents.
Johnson is being held without bond. As of Friday afternoon, no hearings have been scheduled in the case.
The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed.
