Man charged with murder allegedly shot woman during dispute between neighbors
A Kansas City man faces a second-degree murder charge in Jackson County for his alleged role in a fatal shooting that occurred during an argument between neighbors in Kansas City’s Westside North neighborhood in 2024.
De’Airis Poindexter faces one count each of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and second-degree assault, according to a warrant filed in Jackson County court Friday. He also faces three counts of armed criminal action.
On Nov. 25, 2024, officers with the Kansas City Police Department were called to the 1300 block of West Bluff Drive just before 8:30 p.m. on reports of a shooting, according to a probable cause statement written in support of the charges filed against Poindexter.
A silver Kia Spectra stopped for investigators as they were on their way to the scene, the statement said. Two women suffering from gunshot wounds were found in the car and transported to an area hospital for treatment. There, 26-year-old Michelle Donato was pronounced dead.
According to the probable cause statement, witnesses told investigators Donato had been engaged in a verbal argument with her neighbor and several others prior to the shooting.
During the argument, an individual “began to pepper spray people and the group,” leading to a physical fight, the statement said. Witnesses said Poindexter was allegedly involved in the fight, during which he reportedly pulled a gun from his sweatshirt pocket and fired four to five shots towards the group, striking Donato and another woman, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Witnesses said they were driving the women to a local hospital when they stopped investigators for help, the statement said.
Poindexter’s DNA was identified on shell casings found near the shooting, the statement said.
He was initially arrested in connection to the incident on March 11, 2025, according to the court document. When investigators attempted to interview Poindexter, he requested an attorney.
Poindexter was not in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center as of Monday evening, according to the jail’s inmate listing.
In a warrant issued for his arrest, prosecutors set Poindexter’s bond at $100,000 cash-only. No further court dates are set in the case.
