Nov 16, 2021

Woman charged in death of Kan. woman driving home from church

Posted Nov 16, 2021 2:00 AM
Perry-photo Wyandotte Co.
Perry-photo Wyandotte Co.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, woman was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of a woman who died after she was caught in a crossfire as she drove home from her church.

Melanie Perry, 29, was charged in the death of Lillian Jackson, 62, on Sept. 18. She has been held in the Wyandotte County Jail on other charges since Oct. 20.

The victim Lillian Jackson-photo KCK PD
The victim Lillian Jackson-photo KCK PD

Authorities said Jackson, of Kansas City, Kansas, was driving home from Mount Zion Baptist Church when she was caught in the crossfire of a rolling gun battle. Her car was hit several times and she died instantly, police said.

Police Chief Karl Oakman said a tip from a member of the public led to Perry’s arrest. No other suspects in Jackson’s death have been named.