For Immediate Release
March 12, 2020
A second defendant has been charged in connection with the shootings in Westport in the early morning of Feb. 29, 2020, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Ernest Jones Jr., dob: 6/9/1996, faces Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action charges.*
According to court records, a Kansas City police officer in the early morning hours of Feb. 29, 2020, observed occupants of a white Chevrolet SUV shooting at a group of individuals on Mill Street, just north of Westport Road, in the Westport entertainment area. Four persons suffered gunshot wounds and a fifth died as a result of a gunshot wound. Video surveillance showed individuals shooting from the white SUV as it pulled out of a parking garage. A dark-colored Lexus and a white Acura followed the SUV and all appeared to be part of the same group. Muzzle flashes could be seen from inside the Acura, as it was just behind the SUV. The license for the Acura responded back to Ernest P. Jones. A witness stated she was in another vehicle, a Mazda, when a drunk woman crossed the street near the Offkey/Throwback lounge. An argument ensued involving several people on the street. Ernest Jones was one of the persons involved, the witness told police. A witness told police she could see someone firing shots from a vehicle being driven by the defendant. When the defendant was arrested in Kansas City, KS, he was walking toward the white Acura with the same Kansas license plate observed in Westport on Feb. 29. A search by police of the residence found a .9 mm handgun as well as a .45 cal handgun. Multiple .9 mm and .45 Cal shell casings were found in the crime scene. More than 95 shell casings were processed by police.
Prosecutors requested a bond of $150,000 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.