A dispute at a Kansas City business turned deadly in the early hours of March 23, 2025. Samuel Gabriel Aro, 47, a Black/African American businessman, was at a location in the 7800 block of North Oak Trafficway when a verbal argument with another man escalated. Police were called about 2:30 a.m. and found bystanders performing life-saving measures on Aro, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at about 7 a.m.

Within days, authorities identified and arrested 23-year-old Joseph Harold Lapsley Jr. at his south Kansas City apartment on March 26. Court documents and investigators cited surveillance footage showing a man identified as Lapsley arrive in a vehicle, enter the business, and fire a rifle at Aro multiple times, including after Aro had fallen. Witnesses also reported an argument had occurred beforehand, and one witness reportedly sent a warning text moments before the shooting. Lapsley was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action and held in the Clay County jail on $2 million bond pending initial court proceedings.

If anyone was at the business that night or has information about the argument or the events on March 23, please come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.