Murder charge after shooting at Walmart

AFTER VERBAL ARGUMENT IN THE PARKING LOT

A man has been charged with murder for shooting another man in the Walmart parking lot near I-29 and Barry Road on Wednesday, August 21.

Taquiza V. Johnson, 47, of Kansas City, Platte County, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said, “We allege that this defendant shot and killed someone in broad daylight in the parking lot of a major retail establishment. This is both tragic and disturbing.”

Kansas City Police Sergeant Phil DiMartino told The Landmark the victim was identified as Ronald Barnett, 71. DiMartino said preliminary investigations indicate a verbal altercation occurred between the victim and the suspect in the parking lot.

According to court documents, Walmart video surveillance shows Johnson's actions after he left the store at 4:13 p.m. on August 21:

• As Johnson was crossing the crosswalk after leaving the store, the victim's vehicle passed by and Johnson extended his arm toward the vehicle.

•The victim's vehicle backed up, stopped, and the victim got out. Johnson turned around and approached the vehicle. Johnson then walked away and the victim got back into his vehicle.

•The victim then parked his vehicle and Johnson approached the victim's vehicle in his own vehicle. The victim walked toward the Walmart entrance as Johnson exited his vehicle.

•The victim then walked toward Johnson while Johnson stood at the rear of his vehicle with his hands behind his back.

• Two seconds later, Johnson shot the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. Johnson then left the scene without attempting to assist the victim.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:59 p.m.

According to court documents, forensics officers found a .40 Spear cartridge case and discovered an apparent bullet hole in the tailgate of the victim's vehicle. A bullet was found in the back seat of the vehicle.

After a description of Johnson's vehicle and its license plate was broadcast on the radio, Missouri State Highway Patrol officers located the vehicle in an apartment complex within eight minutes. Johnson was arrested. He was reportedly wearing different clothing than he was wearing at the time of the shooting.

A search warrant for Johnson's residence allegedly yielded clothing matching the description of the clothing Johnson was wearing at Walmart, as well as a .40-caliber Glock pistol loaded with .40-caliber Speer cartridges.

Johnson is being held without bail.

The case is being investigated by the Kansas City Police Department with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The criminal prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorneys Kait Donnelly and Joe Findley.