KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced multiple felony charges against a Kansas City man in connection with a shooting that killed one and injured another at a fast-food restaurant.
Joseph H. Watson, 22, faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of 1st Degree Assault.
According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a restaurant on a reported shooting on Jan. 31, and located the first victim in the parking lot, suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. He was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition. Officers located the second victim unresponsive on the floor inside the restaurant and was declared deceased.
Based on surveillance video from inside the restaurant, the first victim left his backpack on a table to speak with an employee at the counter. Watson, dressed in a red hood and black coat, and another unknown individual arrived at the restaurant and sat down at a table next to the first victim’s items.
The first victim went back to his table and appeared to be looking for something and then asked an employee to call his phone. Shortly after, Watson started arguing with the first victim and appeared to be clutching something in his coat. Watson walked past the first victim, hit him in the face, and pulled out a rifle, pointing it at the first victim.
Watson then brought the gun down and started walking out of the restaurant. The first victim continued to yell at Watson and approached him. Watson spit on the first victim, who spit back at him. The defendant fired one shot, striking the first victim in the cheek. The bullet traveled through the first victim’s cheek and struck the second victim, who was standing at the counter.
Detectives connected Watson to the crime scene through surveillance footage and information he provided a nearby business for a rewards program.
A search warrant was executed for Watson’s residence and detectives found a red hoodie in his room matching the description from surveillance video.
A Jackson County judge set Waatson's bond to $250,000 cash only.