Apr 22, 2022

Man died in struggle over a gun outside KC gas station

Posted Apr 22, 2022 11:00 PM
Owens-Harrell-photo Jackson Co.
Owens-Harrell-photo Jackson Co.

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged with multiple felony counts in connection with the fatal shooting on April 15, 2022 at a gas station on East Gregory Blvd. in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Justin J. Owens-Harrell, 31, faces Involuntary Manslaughter, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm charges.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 3800 block of East Gregory Blvd. on a reported shooting. They found the victim, Skyler J. Smith, suffering from a gunshot. He was pronounced deceased later at the hospital. Witnesses said the victim and suspect had been inside and outside the store of the gas station when they struggled over a gun and it fired, hitting the victim. The shooting was captured on surveillance video.

Prosecutors requested $100,000 cash only bond.