July 23, 2026--Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced first-degree murder charges against three Kansas City men in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier this year in Independence, MO.
Ezra T. Richardson, Kevin L. Jackson, and Taj R. Griffin each face one count of 1st Degree Murder, one count of Armed Criminal Action, and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. *
According to court records, Independence police responded to a shooting at an event space on May 10 and located the victim lying between two vehicles in the parking lot. The victim had multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased at the scene.
Surveillance footage captured all three defendants frequently together leading up to and after the homicide. On the day of the homicide, surveillance footage captured the victim walking out to a vehicle and opening the door. Seconds later, a silver Mercedes Benz pulled in front of the victim and the front passenger, and rear seat passenger began firing at the victim. The Mercedes drove away while the rear passenger continued firing in the direction of the victim. The Mercedes then turned back around to where the victim was lying on the ground unresponsive and began firing again before fleeing the scene.
Based on license plate readers and surveillance footage leading up to the homicide, Richardson matched the description of the Mercedes’ front passenger, the rear seat passenger matched the description of Griffin, and the driver matched the description of Jackson.
A Jackson County judge set each of the defendants’ bonds to $500,000 cash only bond.
*Charges are only accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until the defendants are either found guilty or plead guilty.