Man Charged After Security Guard Injured in Independence Bar Shooting

A man has faced charges related to his participation in an incident concerning Independence. firing incident at a Cinco de Mayo festival where one security guard sustained injuries.

Mekai G. Kelly-James is charged with one count of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal activity, two counts of illegal weapons usage, and one count of possessing a weapon unlawfully. as stated in a Jackson County press statement.

Independence police were called around 8:45 p.m. to the Patio816, at 19700 East Valley View Parkway , on reports of gunfire. There they found two security guards allegedly holding Kelly-James in front of a restaurant, according to the release.

Kelly-James was allegedly kicked out of the establishment after a fight inside involving him and other patrons. He then allegedly grabbed a firearm and opened fire in the air and towards security officers.

According to the statement, security personnel responded with gunfire, resulting in one of them being shot in the leg. The assailant was overpowered and restrained by the victim.

At least 75 shell casings were found at the scene. Jackson County prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in the release that the weapon had been reported stolen and modified to function like an automatic weapon.

“Such weapons do not belong in Jackson County, and we will keep pursuing legal action against individuals who use them to threaten our community,” Johnson stated in the press release.

The police are requesting individuals who have recorded videos related to this event to reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 816-474-8477 or directly contact the Independence Police Department’s firearms unit via phone number 816-325-7330.

Kelly-James remains in custody with no bail allowed. Should he be found guilty, he might have to serve up to three decades behind bars.