For Immediate Release
March 9, 2021
An Independence man, 26, has been charged in connection with an early morning fatal shooting on Monday at an Independence hotel, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Steven T. Decker, dob: 8/30/1994, faces Murder 2nd Degree, two counts of Robbery 1st Degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action charges.*
According to court records filed today, early Monday, March 8, 2021, Independence Police officers were dispatched to the Executive Inn and Suites in Independence and found the victim, Tomas Galvan, in apparent blood behind the door to a room. A witness told police that the victim had called two men to come give him a ride. At some point, the men pulled guns and one shot the victim in the head. Before they fled, they grabbed the victim's property, including his phone. Surveillance video from the hotel showed them leaving in a vehicle that belonged to the defendant. School staff at the defendant's school told police Decker appeared to be crying when he picked up his son the same day and he stated he was going to prison for 25 years. When a detective contacted the defendant he sounded upset and said he never meant for this to happen.
Prosecutors requested a $100,000 cash bond.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.