Suspect in Independence triple shooting arrested on drug charges, police say

A man has been arrested in connection to a triple shooting in Independence that left one dead and two injured, according to a press release from Independence media spokesperson Bryan Conley.

Robert L. Cordato was taken into custody in Blue Summit on Friday, June 13, according to the press release. He is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, according to an Independence court document.

Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 block of South Brookside Avenue just before midnight on June 12, according to a previous press release.

There, officers located three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Robert Smith Jr., of Independence, was pronounced dead at the scene. An adult female remains in critical condition at an area hospital, and a juvenile victim is recovering from moderate injuries.

In an initial release to media, Independence police initially listed the incident as a shooting, but there was no mention of a possible homicide. Police did not confirm that someone had been killed until a new release was sent out about 11 hours later.

Independence police have not revealed the ages of those involved in the shooting.

Cordato is being held on a $75,000 bond, according to court documents.