Wish this were surprising. The mother of a slain Independence teen claims vandals have destroyed a memorial to her son in Benton Park three times.
Kathy Johnson told KSHB Channel 41 that her family had constructed a memorial for her 19-year-old son, Jeffrey Paul Johnson, but vandals replaced the flowers and photos with a beer bottle. Other times, tea light candles were smashed and bulbs of flowers ripped off.
On March 7, 19-year-old Mauricio Lopez allegedly shot and killed Jeffrey Johnson during an argument. KSHB refers to Lopez as "a gang member."
Court records in the case say an argument between two other men
preceded the shooting. They say John Fuiamono wanted to fight Eddie
Rodriguez, his
ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend. Fuiamono brought back up -- Lopez, Edgar
A. Herrera, Nicolas O'Leary, David Miller, Rollie Hanks and a juvenile.
They met
Rodriguez, Johnson and Anthony Mills in Benton Park around 2:42 a.m.
Lopez would later tell
detectives that Miller handed him the revolver and told him to shoot
Johnson as he was running away. Lopez allegedly admitted shooting
Johnson, telling detectives that he shot Johnson with a "Felony 44."
Independence police found Johnson
with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso lying in the "fetal
position" on Crane. He wasn't responding, so he was taken to
Centerpoint Hospital where he died.
Jackson County prosecutors have since charged Lopez with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
KSHB also reports that Johnson's family wants to build a memorial on
Johnson's grave, but they don't have a headstone, yet. They're trying
to raise money to buy a headstone and will have a car wash on June 27
at the Dew Drop Inn.
Hat tip to Crime Scene KC.
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