For Immediate Release

Aug. 3, 2019

An 18-year-old Kansas City man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting on Friday evening near 18th and Main that took the life of an innocent bystander, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Deon'te Copkney, dob: 1/3/2001, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records filed today, about  10 p.m., Kansas City  police responded on a call of shots fired in the area of 18th and Main Street. They found the female victim, Erin Langhofer, 25, of Overland Park, KS. She had been near food trucks on 18th Street and was not involved in any altercation prior to the gunfire. Officers began a foot pursuit with three males running from the scene. One of the males, who was ordered to stop running, dropped a handgun before lying on the ground. He identified himself as Deon'te Copkney. The 9 mm he dropped was later confirmed to have fired the 9 mm shell casings found near the scene of the shooting. The defendant told police detectives he was the only one who fired after he and others had been in a physical altercation near the food trucks.

Prosecutors have requested a bond of $500,000 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.

See attached photo of our victim, Erin Langhofer