16 handguns seized: Prosecutors ask KC Northland murder suspect to surrender guns
Clay County prosecutors are asking that a Kansas City man charged with murder in the shooting death of his Northland neighbor be required to surrender all firearms and ammunition as a condition of being released on bond, a court document shows.
Prosecutors filed the motion late Wednesday afternoon in the case involving Jeffrey Traviss King, who has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 41-year-old Chris Wells on Monday.
King is being held in the Clay County jail on a $5 million bond. A bond review hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20.
Prosecutors noted that when Kansas City police crime scene technicians executed search warrants, they recovered 16 9mm handguns, which matched the caliber of the weapon used in the fatal shooting, according to the motion for additional bond conditions.
In addition to those weapons, crime scene technicians also found multiple other long guns and handguns that were not seized because they were of other calibers and gauges, the court document states.
“Based upon the nature of the crime and the proximity to witnesses, the State alleges the defendant poses a danger to the community if he is released on bond and still has access to firearms,” prosecutors said in the motion.
Prosecutors pointed out that King and Wells’ family live in proximity to each other, and multiple witnesses live in the area.
Prosecutors are requesting that the court add the bond condition requiring King to surrender all firearms and ammunition to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, and place the burden solely on King to arrange the transfer prior to his release..
They are also asking that King be required to authorize the sheriff’s department to inspect his home and vehicles for any weapons before being released
King is accused of shooting Wells during an argument Monday morning in the 2500 block of Northeast 78th Street. Wells died at the scene.
Records from the Missouri Secretary of State show that King organized Fidelis Firearms KC LC at his home in January 2025 for the purpose of “weapons, guns, classes.” He also created Fidelis Firearms LLC in June 2023 to offer education and entertainment in the weapons business.
King is accused of shooting Wells during an argument Monday morning in the 2500 block of Northeast 78th Street. Wells died at the scene.
Police were aware of a long series of confrontations between King and his neighbors that escalated over time, according to court records.
Multiple neighbors told The Star that King caused issues the neighborhood and would often park multiple vehicles along the street, making it so that school buses could not drive through. One neighbor said King has been holding the neighborhood hostage for years. Neighbors also said King broke a mirror off a vehicle owned by Wells.
Court records show that King was found guilty of destruction of property in early November in Kansas City Municipal Court, and he was sentenced to 30 days in jail. The judge suspended the jail term, placing King on two years of probation and ordering him to stay away from Wells’ home.
King filed a notice he would appeal the municipal case and filed a request for new trial on Dec. 17 in Clay County Circuit Court.
On Monday, King is accused of throwing a blanket into Wells’ yard. Well’s wife told investigators she called her husband. When Wells came home form work to confront King, a fight broke out. King is accused of shooting Wells multiple times, including in the back while he was lying face down in the street.
King appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
