Man charged in bouncer’s shooting after dispute over re-entry at Kansas City bar
A 35-year-old man faces charges in a shooting that left a bouncer critically injured and sent customers ducking for cover at a south Kansas City bar and grill over the weekend, according to a news release from the prosecutor’s office.
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Unique A. Cushon of Kansas City with one count each of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action.
If convicted, Cushon faces up to 30 years, or life, in prison on the assault and unlawful use of a weapon charges, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Kansas City police responded shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday to Jambo Bar & Grill at 9922 Holmes Road.
Arriving officers found the victim across the street at a fire station and learned the victim’s mother had taken him there. The victim, who had been shot in the chest, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
In an interview with detectives, the victim said he was working security, and Cushon took off his shirt and drew the attention of the owners. The security guard informed Cushon of the bar and grill’s policy that the next time he left, he would have to pay a re-entry fee.
Cushon allegedly started arguing with security. At the same time, the security guard’s family was trying to leave, but couldn’t because he was in the doorway. Cushon then allegedly called the security guard’s mother a derogatory name and the security guard confronted him.
Another person, who was not identified, retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to Cushon. He allegedly fired one shot in the air, and then pointed the gun at the security guard and at those inside, according to court documents.
The security guard said that he pulled out a handgun in self-defense and fired at Cushon. The security guard then realized he had been shot and ran inside for help. Cushon also was injured in the exchange of gunfire.
While officers were still at the scene of the shooting, the Raytown Police Department advised that they had a shooting victim in their city. That person, identified as Cushon, had been shot in the head and back and was taken to a hospital, according to court documents.
Cushon’s mother, who was with him when they were stopped by Raytown police, told police they were inside the club when they heard shots and ran to their vehicle. While driving away, Cushon told his mother he had been shot.
In an interview with detectives after he was released from the hospital, Cushon said he and his family were at the club and were outside when they heard shots being fired. He alleged he ran and then realized he had been shot.
Hesaid he got into a car with some women he didn’t know, who helped him find his family. He then got in his family’s vehicle, and they tried to drive to a hospital, but were stopped by the Raytown police for speeding.
Cushon said he didn’t know who was shooting, and denied possessing a firearm or having any problems at the club.
Surveillance video from several cameras allegedly show Cushon and the security guard in an argument. Cushon then appeared to go outside, and could no longer be seen.
Video showed an unknown male take what appeared to be a firearm out of his waistband and hand it to someone. Shortly afterward, the crowd started ducking and scattering.
The security guard then is seen in the video pulling his firearm out and returning fire. Another video showed Cushon running from the scene with a gun in his hand.
