NKC High School shooting suspect out on bond allegedly seen shooting at car in downtown KC
One of the two brothers charged in a shooting outside North Kansas City High School earlier this year allegedly shot at a car near the T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City, according to court documents.
While out on bond, 19-year-old Michael Smallwood allegedly was seen on surveillance video shooting at a Ford Fusion as it exited a parking garage at East 13th and McGee streets on Sept. 15, according to a motion to revoke or increase his bond filed by Clay County prosecutors.
At a hearing Wednesday, Clay County Judge Shane T. Alexander found Smallwood “presents a danger to the safety of the public” and increased his bond to $750,000, according to court documents.
Alexander ordered Smallwood to be taken into custody and held until he could post the additional bond. Smallwood remained in the Clay County jail Thursday morning.
His next court appearance was set for Nov. 11.
Shooting outside high school
Smallwood and his 18-year-old brother, Lavon’Dre Smallwood, were charged for their alleged involvement in a shooting outside North Kansas City High School on March 2 that injured a student bystander and an adult.
At the time of the shooting, hundreds of spectators were inside watching a playoff basketball game between North Kansas City and Staley high schools. A speech and debate event was also taking place on campus.
The gunfire stemmed from a dispute between two groups of young men. The two groups had been at the basketball game and left around 6 p.m. A witness said a member of one of the groups began yelling at the other group, telling them to leave, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said in a March news conference.
A member of the other group drew a gun and began shooting, and then members of the other group drew guns and returned fire. Prosecutors have said five people fired gunshots during the exchange. One of persons injured could be seen firing a gun once during the exchange.
Investigators recovered more than 50 shell casings from the scene, including casings from 9 mm, 10 mm, .40-caliber and .45-caliber firearms, prosecutors said.
Lavon’Dre Smallwood was charged with first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, aiding or abetting a person who discharged or shot a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
Michael Smallwood was charged with aiding or abetting a person who discharged or shot a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
Both have been charged as adults, and the bond was initially set at $250,000 each. Michael Smallwood was released on bond on Aug. 22.
Lavon’Dre Smallwood has remained in Clay County jail since March 15. His attorney, Alexander Hartley, filed a motion to have his client’s bond reduced, saying he cannot post bond and needs to be able to work to afford legal fees.
According to court documents, Hartley had previous requested to withdraw from representing Smallwood, saying that his client was unable to pay legal expenses. Smallwood had agreed to let his attorney withdraw so that he could seek a public defender.
In a filing, the Missouri State Public Defender’s office indicated that Smallwood was not indigent. Late last month, Judge Alexander denied Hartley’s motion to withdraw.
A hearing on the motion to reduce Lavon’Dre Smallwood’s bond is set for 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 24.
