KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge sentenced a Kansas City man to 22 years in prison for the fatal shooting of another man that took place in 2023, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.
Derek Jones, 24, pleaded guilty last year to 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, Violating an Order of Protection, and 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. With a 22-year total sentence cap, the judge sentenced the defendant to the total number of years requested by the state, which was the maximum authorized under the terms of the plea agreement: 19 years on 2nd Degree Murder, three years on Armed Criminal Action, one year on Violating an Order of Protection, and seven years on Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a shooting at the 8300 block of Highland Avenue on March 12, 2023. They encountered a male victim just inside the front door of a residence who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses identified Jones as the shooter, stating he forced his way into the residence after a witness unlocked the door. The defendant then discharged his firearm multiple times at the victim before fleeing the scene. Six children, including the victim’s child and the Jones' children, witnessed the entire incident.
Police located Jones and took him into custody within roughly an hour of the shooting.
While the defendant had no prior felony convictions, he had a history of domestic violence and violating orders of protection. The witnesses had orders of protection against the defendant at the time of the fatal shooting.