KANSAS CITY —A man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in Kansas City.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced sentencing outcomes for two co-defendants convicted in connection with a fatal shooting that left one person dead and another injured. A third co-defendant remains scheduled for trial.
Earlier this month, 20-year-old Antoine Craddock pled guilty by agreement and was sentenced to a combined 18 years in prison. He received 15 years for 2nd Degree Murder, a consecutive three-year sentence for Armed Criminal Action, and a concurrent 10 years for 1st Degree Assault.
Malek Daniels, 19, pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, Armed Criminal Action, and 2nd Degree Assault. At an open sentencing hearing last week, a Jackson County judge sentenced him to nine years for Voluntary Manslaughter, a consecutive three years for Armed Criminal Action, and a concurrent seven years for 2nd Degree Assault, for a total of 12 years in prison.
Robert Spears, a third co-defendant, is scheduled for trial on October 26, 2026. He is currently charged with 2nd Degree Accessory to Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Accessory to Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 1st Degree Accessory to Assault.
According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on August 17, 2024, and located a vehicle with multiple defects in the back glass and driver’s side of the vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle was deceased, and the driver was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Detectives learned the shooting originated in a nearby apartment complex parking lot.
Surveillance footage and witness reports revealed that Spears was standing outside the victim vehicle on the passenger side, where he was discussing a marijuana sale with the deceased victim. Craddock and Daniels, who arrived earlier and interacted with Spears before the victim’s vehicle arrived, walked toward the rear of the victim vehicle as Spears spoke with the victim.
Craddock then opened fire on the vehicle. Spears ran as the driver started to drive away. Daniels fired at the vehicle as it left the parking lot.