Prosecutors charge man in slaying at Independence gas station

Jackson County prosecutors have charged a 37-year-old man in the shooting death of a customer at an Independence gas station this week.

Shawn M. Hughes of Independence faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges in the slaying of Bobby L. Mullins II, 26, who was gunned down Wednesday night at the Shell gas station at 9040 E. U.S. 40 in southwest Independence.

Police found Mullins, who had lived in Independence and Versailles, Mo., sprawled on the pavement next to a pickup at the gas pumps.

According to court records, surveillance video from the gas station showed Hughes arrive with a woman in a dark-colored Chevrolet Silverado about 20 minutes before the shooting. After purchasing items inside the station, they returned to the truck.

Hughes saw Mullins pull into the gas station. He allegedly told the woman that Mullins had recently robbed him and that he was going to “get him.”

Mullins went inside the store. Hughes grabbed a pair of gloves from the woman’s truck and headed toward Mullins’ truck.

As the woman backed out of the parking lot, she saw Hughes break out Mullins’ truck window and rummage through the truck.

Other witnesses saw Mullins run outside and briefly confront Hughes moments before hearing a gunshot.

A person pumping gas nearby told investigators he heard someone say, “Maybe this will teach you to shoot someone next time.”

After the shooting, Hughes allegedly took a backpack from Mullins’ truck and ran north on Blue Ridge Cutoff.

When questioned by detectives, Hughes acknowledged being at the gas station but refused to discuss the shooting.

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Prosecutors charge man in slaying at Independence gas station."