3 Kansas City Security Officers Charged In Fatal Shooting
KANSAS CITY, MO July 12 2018
An investigation into the fatal shooting by private security officers has now led to police filing murder charges.
Police say that they have charged two security guards in connection to the fatal shooting of Kevin Thomas.
Thomas was shot and killed June 29 just east of the Yum Yum Bar & Grill in the 5300 block of E. 24th Street.
Christopher L. Jones and Markell Pinkins each face second-degree murder charges and armed criminal action.
A third guard, Leon Doniphan, has been charged with tampering with evidence.
According to court records, the security guards work for a private security firm.
Documents also state the security guards told police they responded to a vehicular accident. Thomas was in his car outside this bar and grill at 24th and Hardesty.
By all accounts Thomas was stopped in the road when the security guards drew their guns, yelling at the driver to put it in park and step out.
According to witness, when he didn’t, two of the security guards then opened fire.
According to a court statement, one of the security guards charged with murder said the driver “revved the engine” and he “had no exit route.” The other said he shot the driver in “self-defense because the man drove towards him.”
Jones told police that he and Pinkins fired shots at the victim after initially telling investigators he was not armed and didn’t shoot the victim.
Per court records, Jones also said he shot through the passenger side of the windshield, while Pinkins fired his gun through the driver’s window.
Jones later told police he gave Doniphan his gun, which Doniphan did not mention to police, according to court records.
A witness told police the security guards went across the street to the victim’s vehicle with their guns drawn.
A $225,000 bond has been requested for Jones, $200,000 bond for Pinkins and $5,000 for Doniphan.
