In what has been described as a senseless act of violence, 28-year-old Kyle Wanner, a male employee at a Belton, Missouri, car dealership, was fatally shot on April 16, 2020. The incident occurred at the Show Me Auto Mall, where Wanner worked. A man, later identified as 21-year-old Edward Cornejo-Juarez of Kansas City, entered the auto shop before 10:45 a.m.
and was seen on surveillance video conversing with Wanner.
The two men then exited the building together moments before the shooting. According to witnesses, a gunshot was heard, followed by a scream and then another gunshot. After the shooting, the suspect re-entered the business, sat on the floor for a period, placed a handgun and holster on the service counter, and then left the building. A witness discovered Wanner on the ground and called 911, but he was soon pronounced dead at the scene.
Belton police found the alleged gunman, Cornejo-Juarez, outside the car dealership and took him into custody. During an interview with police, Cornejo-Juarez made several conflicting statements, including a claim that he had purchased the business and had gotten into a fight with a man he didn't know. He told investigators he pulled out his gun and fired because he felt scared and thought the man 'was going to come at him.' It remains unclear what led to the confrontation, as Cornejo-Juarez also stated he did not know the victim at all, referring to him as 'just a stranger.' He later admitted to killing him. Cornejo-Juarez also informed police that he had smoked what he believed to be 'synthetic marijuana' and was 'tripping' on the morning of the incident.
Edward Cornejo-Juarez was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Kyle Wanner's death. He was held in the Cass County jail with a bond set at $250,000 cash. The public defender's office was appointed to represent him.
