For Immediate Release

Jan. 9, 2018

A 23-year-old Kansas City man faces criminal charges, including Murder 1st Degree, in connection with the fatal shooting Saturday of Elizabeth Richards in Kansas City, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Joseph Gonsalez, dob: 12/22/1994, faces Murder 1st  Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree and Attempted Armed Criminal Action.*

According to court records filed today, the victim, 19-year-old Richards, was found in a residence in the 111th block of College Avenue on Saturday by Kansas City police officers dispatched to the scene. Her wrists and arms were bound in duct tape. A woman who identified herself as the defendant's mother told police that Gonsalez shared custody of a 2-year-old son with the victim. And the victim was coming over the morning of Jan. 6, 2018, to drop off the son. Gonzales was the only person in the house when the victim arrived with the son. Later, the mother noticed she missed a phone call from the defendant. When she called him back, she could hear the defendant arguing with the victim. Then she heard what she believed was a gunshot. The mother and her husband rushed back to check and found the victim on the floor with the 2-year-old son nearby. She removed duct tape from the victim's mouth, the defendant's mother told police. Police found a revolver in the residence and spent rounds. Video surveillance showed the defendant purchasing the duct tape at a Home Depot the day before. 

Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000 cash.

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.